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November 6-8, Boston Christmas Festival, Boston

November 6-8, Boston Christmas Festival, Boston. Contact: Jackie Ralston, Artisan Promotions Inc., 83 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, MA 02108. Phone: 617-742-3973. Fax: 617-742-0025. E-mail: artpro@tiac.net. Web site: www.bostonchristmasfestival.com. 100% indoors. Exhibitors: 330. Space fee: $545. Space size: 10x10 to 10x20. Attendance: 32,000 (2008 gate). Admission: $12.
 
Compiled from FastAudit reports

Seventy-one percent of our auditors said they would return to this 200 Best show at the Boston World Trade Center. Auditor totals averaged $2,738, down from $4,970 at the previous year's show, but we'd advise against reading too much into that drop, as our auditor sampling was smaller this time.

All applicable categories received above-average marks, even parking, which is notoriously difficult in central Boston. Sales averaged a six (out of 10), quality a seven and attendance an eight.

"My regular customers keep me coming back to this show," said a fabric exhibitor ($4,000 total sales/$38 average item sold). "Jackie and Florence did a better job this year jurying - less buy/sell, although some did get through the jurying process. [The] show was full - no empty spaces as I have seen at other shows this year. No big and no gigantic booths. [There were] still some manufactured hair accessories and Christmas items. " I will continue with this show, as my customers look for me here and support me. Buyers come on Saturday, [but] Sunday was not as well attended as in past years."

A maker of children's books was even happier and plans to return "because it was fabulous! We really enjoyed being here and hope to return next year."

A watercolor artist ($2,600/$10) also plans to come back because the show was "well run [and] very professional." However, the auditor added, "[The] crowd seems to favor lower-priced items, so [it was] not good for expensive items."

The exhibitor with the highest total of all our auditors ($5,000 from average sales of $19.95) said simply, "best of the year!"

A soap maker ($830/$5) was less thrilled but still might return. The auditor said there were "too many other vendors selling soap and similar items." He/she also thought the entrance fee should be reduced.

A bit more critical was a jeweler ($1,700/$65) who said quality of crafts was mixed. However, the auditor's chief reason for not returning seemed to be that he/she "had hoped to sell much more. By the time I figured in the cost of the show, plus hotel, my profit was about $950."

But even these two auditors, who represented the minority, didn't have anything negative to say about the promoters themselves, who received a rating of nine.