By Deputy Editor Ciara Clarke

The Christmas season has begun in DCU with the annual Christmas market returning to The U building yesterday.

The student union hosted 12 different small businesses, ranging from food stalls to those selling retro games consoles along with a bit of everything in between. 

Spirits were positive before the market opened with sellers expecting high levels of footfall throughout the day.

Catalina who runs the business Cat’s Corner spoke about how she was making sales before even opening.

“We started setting up at half eight this morning and we had customers buying things from us while we were setting up” 

The market was organised by VP for Wellbeing Lauren Joyce, who received a list of sellers from previous SU president Karl Ormsby. Market spaces were also advertised on the student unions instagram story. 

Joyce noted how they love to bring in student run businesses, such as Enya who prior to starting college had a full time crotchet business but stopped to focus on her studies.

“I loved it so much but I had to stop due to college but I’d love to go back to doing it sometime soon” she remarked.

To host a stall at the market, sellers must pay a table fee. However, Joyce notes that each stall donated to the student unions Movember fund instead of paying a traditional fee while the business kept their profits.

As this is an annual event, there are many sellers who return each year as they can “rely on the business”. 

“I was here last year and it was really good. I actually run this full time and it’s good enough that I can count on it every year to come back and make my living wage out of it.” said Catalina.

The festivities weren’t just secluded to The U hallway. Many stalls were set up in the Venue including Enigma the enchanted shop, a small business run by a group of crafters including Marily.

“I think we are in a day with a lot of exams so a lot of people are quite stressed but they are very friendly and very nice.” remarked Marily when asked about how the day had been so far.

The market takes place during exam season, which offers a nice festive incentive for students to take a break to partake in some much deserved retail therapy.