Want to get ahead with your Christmas shopping? you don't have to wait until December to get stuck in. 

There are numerous shopping events taking place all over Dorset where you can pick up some festive crafts and Christmas presents.  Here's our guide to just some of them... 

Take part in a Scandinavian shopping experience in Wimborne on Saturday. A charity Christmas art and craft fair is being held at Church House in Wimborne High Street between 10am and 4pm on Saturday. Organised as a fundraiser for the charity Spreading Health the fair will have a Scandinavian flair. There will be traditional decorations, crafts, cakes and a lucky dip for children and well known author Beverley Naidoo will be signing and selling her books. Spreading Health was set up by Bournemouth GP Peter Hearn and his wife Glynis.

The Cards for Good Causes seasonal shop has arrived in Wareham. Situated at the Discover Purbeck Information Centre, Wareham Library, South Street, the UK’s largest multi-charity Christmas card organisation hopes residents and visitors will dig deep. People can find the shop by looking out for Cards for Good Causes’ distinctive triangular red Santa sign on South Street in Wareham.
There are cards supporting more than 25 national and local charities, including Friends of Wareham Hospital, Wareham in Bloom and Citizens Advice Bureau. The Discover Purbeck Information Centre is open Monday, 10am-4pm, and Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am-4pm, up until lunchtime on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Fayre is being held at Winton Salvation Army on Latimer Road this Saturday, November 7. The event runs from 10am to 2pm with admission costing 50p per person. There will also be Christmas dinner in the restaurant and stalls with festive gifts.

Start your Christmas shopping early and support local traders at the Made in Dorset Craft & Vintage Fayre. The event takes place between 10am and 4pm at Druitt Hall in Christchurch. There will be more than 30 stalls to browse selling upcycled items, quirky collectables and retro clothes. There will also be homemade cake, jam and pickles with hot and cold food also on sale. 

Kingston Maurward Christmas Craft & Gourmet Food Fair takes place this weekend. Items on sale include fashion and accessories, candles, cushions and kitchenware, jewellery, gift ideas for men and children's toys on sale. There will also be a food hall selling hampers, smoked products, olive oil, cheese and chocolates. Shoppers are advised to take chequebooks along with them as not all stallholders take credit cards.