More than 50 hats were made while development manager, Elizabeth Fox, designed her very own puppets to be donated to children in Romania and Belarus.

A total of 267 shoeboxes were filled by New College Lanarkshire students with help from knitting knowledge and gifts donated by a group of avid crafters from Bield’s Hillcrest Court.

Elizabeth said: “We’ve now been making these donations for five years and make sure we have a good start by kicking things back off again in January.

“Not only is it a great cause but it really brings our tenants together as they work to produce some fantastic presents for the coming festive season.”

This year the tenants were delighted, in addition to making clothes and woolly candy canes, to pass on their expertise to a new generation. A group of students at the New College Lanarkshire’s Cumbernauld Campus worked with tenants to pick up knitting-needles and make a start on their own contributions.

The college spoiled the tenants with tea and Jam scones as a thank you for all their efforts in helping them to fill such a fantastic number of boxes.

Lecturer at New College Lanarkshire, Beatrice Soutar, said: “This year’s group have worked very hard and have been so involved and so enthusiastic in trying to send as many shoeboxes as they can from the College to the children.

“We hope that by doing this we will help bring happiness to children around the world who do not normally receive anything on Christmas Day.”

Since 1990, The Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal has given more than 124 million shoeboxes to children living in poverty across the globe.

Elizabeth added: “Handing down a wee bit of knowledge to the wider community has been a lovely addition this year and might even improve the total of donations for next year.”

Meanwhile, Bield’s Care and Housing development in Biggar celebrated Christmas and community spirit with their biggest ever get together – raising £300 in the process.

Langvout Court hosted more than 50 guests from their sheltered housing, care home and day care services as they combined their festivities for the first time.

Hannah Wade, assistant manager at Langvout Court, said: “In previous years we have held separate parties for each part of the development but this Christmas we wanted to step up our celebrations and get everyone involved together.”

Tenants and service-users donated items to hampers that were raffled off at the party to raise funds.

Service-users, family and friends were able to kick off the festive season in style with a host of entertainment with a fantastic 3 course meal and mince pies provided by the cooks at Langvout: Fiona Muir, Ann Miller, Christina Seeley and Jane McMorran.

Accordion and guitar duo, Reels on Wheels, provided the music for tenants and staff to enjoy.

Hannah added: “We’re always delighted to see everyone getting really involved and the party was no exception – a great way to celebrate Christmas.

“All the staff and tenants had huge smiles on their faces and it’s set us up brilliantly for the festive season.”