You agreed to chair the holiday shop. Here is the job laid out on a calendar, so nothing is left to the last week.
Eight weeks before
- Pick the shop dates with the principal and book the room.
- Decide whether the shop is a service (gifts sold at cost) or a fundraiser (a small markup). This sets your prices.
- Ask last year's chair what sold out and what was left over.
Six weeks before
- Place your order. Stock is shared across all the schools we serve, so popular gifts go first. Ordering early gives you the best choice.
- If your school pays by purchase order, start the paperwork now. Purchase orders are accepted on approved orders over $400.
- If your school is tax exempt, send the certificate before you order.
Three weeks before
- Send the flyer home with the dates and a suggested amount to bring.
- Recruit volunteers and assign shifts. Our guide to volunteer jobs lists who you need.
- When the boxes arrive, count them against the packing slip the same day.
The week before
- Price everything. You can print price tent cards for each gift from your order in your account.
- Sort gifts by who they are for: Mom, Dad, grandparents, siblings, teachers.
- Get a cash box, change, and plenty of gift bags.
Shop day
Bring classes through on a schedule, youngest first. Keep one volunteer free to help children who are short on money or stuck on a choice.
Afterwards
Count what is left. Unsold, undamaged gifts can be returned before January 15 with a return authorization, or kept for next year. Write down what sold out so next year's chair has it.
Ordering basics: $10 minimum order, free UPS Ground shipping on continental U.S. orders over $400, and payment by card, check or school purchase order (approved orders over $400). Unsold, undamaged gifts can be returned before January 15 with a return authorization. See shipping and ordering and our returns policy for the details.