We hold our Santa's workshop as well-- but when I took over, we changed things up a bit-- we buy everything ourselves-- after Christmas, over the summer and mark it up a little-- the kids get quality items and the parents love it--- we charge $1.00- $5.00 for our items--- and we have an ornament table where we can personalize ornaments as well--- for $1.00
We can make up to $3,000.00 profit-- each year! We normally put most of the money into the next year's sale and make around $500.00 profit--- the first year was hard since you have to start somewhere with merchandise-- but we carryover left overs into the next year-- you have new kids shopping that haven't seen these items before, we combine items and move them up as gift baskets-- such as work gloves and a tool for a dads and grandpa's-- we have parents watch for us for deals on items all year-- the biggest thing is to have the storage to hold everything-- but it's been great!!! and the kids love it!!!
Even parents ship our sale--- and we hold a family night the last day where all family can shop-- this helps downsize our inventory at the end of the year-- we also move some items over to our Bingo night if we've had them for a year or more....
The vendor bazaar is a stand-alone event for us, but certainly it could be a component of a large program. In our case, it's anyone who wants a booth. We use the cafeteria and map at the booth areas with masking tape the night before. Everyone gets EXACTLY their space and not an inch more. We sell the space only - they bring their own tables/chairs.
At the last one, we had some of the big operations like Mary Kay and Avon. But most were individuals. Examples: knitted/crochet items, lawn signs, jellies and jams, jewelry (lots of custom beaders), hand-made gift cards, custom aprons.
It wasn't a garage sale type booth situation, but pretty much anything you can imagine a person selling could be a possible customer. People do a remarkable amount of that as a hobby or sideline.
I love the "Holidays around the world" idea, but if we still wanted some sort of "shop" what vendors besides the usual Avon, Pampered Chef etc. have you used.
Our elementary does a Breakfast with Santa - now called "Holidays" around the world on a Saturday morning that includes donuts/cocoa, crafts, holiday singing, pictures with Santa. It's an event that usually costs about $400-$500 for supplies, but we break-even after picture and refreshment sales. (Crafts/signing is free.)
Our high school has a vendor fair where we sell booth space in the cafeteria. It usually makes $1500-$2000. The revenue comes from sales of booth space, food concessions, and tickets for bag raffles. Again, this is a Saturday event.
We just finished our yearly Holiday Shop and are considering not having it next year. All the consignment shops have the same merchandise and it is all poor quality. We had many damages and it is a lot of work setting it up and breaking it down with no $$ made. In fact, last year we lost $ from theft. I was wondering if anyone does something else for the Holidays, such as having a craft night where they make their gifts, or using merchandise made by the community. Any ideas would be apprecialted!
