We have ran a Holiday Shop for five years now and next year we are having a Holiday Diveristy Fun night to run with it during our night hours. We have never done this but are looking to do different games and customs around the world. We are not charging for it but it may be something you would want to consider.
We have what we call Winter Wonderland. We have games, raffle baskets, a silent auction, pictures with Santa and food. We have Santa's Shop open during school hours for the week along with the evening of Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland is on Friday. I called our local merchants for donations for the raffle baskets and silent auctions. We also came up with 5 basket themes and asked the students to bring an item to fill one of the baskets. Examples were small cars, barbie dolls, movies or cd's, books, sports and gift certificates to fill any baskets. We sold raffle tickets for $1.
We had the bar-b-que sandwiches along with chips catered and we presold tickets. We had the cookie cakes donated and sold a slice for $1; we also sold popcorn and cotton candy for $1 each.
As far as volunteers, we assigned each grade a game and asked the room parents to get volunteers.
It was a huge success and the kids along with the parents had a great time.
How many cookies did you get dontated? I was thinking of asking for parents to bake 3-4 dozen cookies then we would bag 2 in each bag and sell them for .50. Do you think that would work or would it be to much? I love the idea of raffling off a few things. Our Santa Shop is always in need of volunteers, what if I were to get something great and if you work the shop you can put your name into the hat as many times as you work, then the volunteer would get the item? Think that would bring in more help? Who do you use for the Santa Shop?
We held a cookie sale with ours this year. It went over great. Parents donated "holiday" related cookies or baked goods. People would purchase a pie box for $10 and fill the box with cookies of their choice. Pies and pumpkin rolls went for $5.
We will be doing this again for sure this December and we will also be raffling off 3 big Christmas inflatables. I picked those up at Lowe's after christmas at 70% off!
I have been to these types of events that try to make it a family day that includes a chili feed, bake sale, craft time, and santa pictures. This takes way more volunteers than we ever have but can be really fun. I think one year the group sold spaces for for craft booths as well so parents could easily browse for things too.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
I know this is early but what did you ladies do for your santa shop? I would like to do something to earn more money. Currently we just sell the products but I was thinking of a bake sell or a family event. What do you all do to make it fun??
