Get that festive feeling with The Big Issue's Christmas cover competition

What a year it has been. And it’s not over yet. What we need more than ever is a brilliantly bright and festive feelgood cover to lift the spirits of all who see it and help our vendors sell more magazines in the run up to Christmas.

Are you a wonderfully creative kid? Or do you know a budding young artist? Perhaps you organise activities for children or teach a class of talented individuals? If so we want to get you involved.

Since we first launched our kids cover competition seven years ago we have had thousands of amazing creations from young people across the country and we know we’ll be blown away by your creations again.

Here it is!

Our final celebration of our Christmas Kids Cover Competition, ready for the weekend.

Spot any you recognise? https://t.co/DVLKAxPiTq #MerryChristmas pic.twitter.com/TLx0clYnKT

— Big Issue (@BigIssue) December 13, 2019

Last year’s theme was Together, and the winning design was sent by 12-year-old Kaoriko Tamura. She said: “I had extra fun drawing it, especially when I imagined my artwork being sold from The Big Issue vendors. I was surprised when I first found out I won and felt so special.”

This year we want to keep it simple. What makes you feel Christmassy? Is it Santa, reindeer, decorating trees, receiving presents or gifting them to others?

Artwork can take any form, from drawings to paintings to digital art. So have your pens, pencils, crayons and tablets at the ready and send them into us by the closing date of November 23.

Apart from the winning design being on the front of hundreds of thousands of magazines sold across Britain, we will also be offering a special prize for the best group entry – from a school or nursery class or any other group of youngsters who send in a bundle of entries.

“This year needs a sprinkle of cheer,” said The Big Issue’s chief elf and editor Paul McNamee. “The Kids Cover Competition always guarantees joy and fun. I can’t wait to see the entries arriving and looking at every one.

“The challenges facing our vendors this winter will be more difficult than ever, but when tasked with raising spirits, kids always deliver.

“A big thank you to all those who take the time to enter – kids, as well as their parents, carers or teachers. It’s hugely humbling and encouraging. Picking a winner will be impossible!”

We’ll bring you top tips and more details about our exciting judging panel soon!

HOW TO ENTER

Anyone aged 13 or under can enter. We’ll print as many pictures as we can squeeze into the magazine and all entries will also feature in a spectacular online gallery. Unfortunately, we can’t return artwork.

WHERE TO SEND IT

Post your entries to:

Christmas Kids Cover Competition,

The Big Issue, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 1HW

or email high-resolution pictures to editorial@bigissue.com

Make sure you include a name, age, address and telephone or email contact on all entries.