Bath toy shop My Small World is bringing back its popular Champagne and Tissues sessions this September, offering a friendly place for parents and carers to gather after dropping their child off for their very first day at school.
The annual event recognises that starting school can be a big moment for parents as well as children, with plenty of excitement mixed with the inevitable nerves and emotions. Instead of heading straight home after saying goodbye at the school gates, families are invited to visit the independent toy shop in SouthGate for a glass of celebratory bubbles – with non-alcoholic alternatives available – a tissue if needed and some friendly company.
This year’s Champagne and Tissues will take place on Thursday 3, Friday 4 and Monday 7 September, with sessions beginning at 9.15am and 1.15pm.
The two times are designed to work around the different arrangements used by local primary schools during their first few days of Reception, with many offering staggered starts or shorter sessions. My Small World will also open early on all three days, from 9.15am until 6pm.
Parents are encouraged to bring along anyone else they spot looking a little emotional at the school gates, with the sessions also providing an opportunity to meet other local parents and carers who are going through the same milestone.
There will also be goodie bags for parents to take back to their new school starter at pick-up, as well as something for younger siblings who may also be adjusting to the change of routine.
My Small World owner Dawn said the event was created because she knows parents can experience “all the big emotions” when their child starts school, describing it as a “momentous moment”.
And because schools across Bath and North East Somerset do not all return on the same day, parents whose child’s first day falls outside the three scheduled dates are being encouraged to contact the shop. The team says it will do its best to accommodate other start dates and times too.
My Small World Toys is at 20a St Lawrence Street, SouthGate, Bath, BA1 1AN. The independent business has been trading since 2005 and was named Independent Operator of the Year at the 2025 Revo Awards.
More details can be found at mysmallworld.co.uk/pages/champagne-and-tissues.
