Parents say yes more easily to a specific job with a start and end time than to "can you help at the holiday shop?" These are the jobs to offer.
Before the shop opens
- Receiving. Checks the delivery against the packing slip and reports anything missing straight away.
- Pricing and setup. Puts out price cards and arranges tables by recipient. Two or three people can do this in an evening.
While the shop is open
- Greeter. Welcomes each class, explains the tables, and hands out shopping lists or envelopes.
- Shopping helpers. Walk with younger children, help them add up, and steer them to gifts that fit their money. This is the job that needs the most people.
- Cashier. Takes payment and makes change. Use adults who are comfortable with cash.
- Bagger. Seals each child's gifts in a bag and writes the child's name on it, so surprises stay surprises.
- Restocker. Refills tables between classes and tells the chair when something is running low.
After the shop closes
- Count and pack. Counts the cash with a second person, boxes leftovers, and lists what sold out.
How to ask
Post a sign-up sheet with each job, the time slot, and one line saying what the job is. Short shifts fill faster than long ones. Thank every volunteer by name in the next newsletter, and next year's sheet will fill itself.
Supplies for the tables, including gift bags, are in holiday shop supplies.