A school Santa shop (some schools call it a holiday shop or Secret Santa shop) is a small store set up at school where students buy gifts for their family with their own money. Kids love it because they get to choose. Parents love it because the gifts cost pocket change. If this is your first year in charge, here is the job from start to finish.
1. Pick your dates first
Choose the shop days and work backwards. Most schools run the shop for two to five school days in late November or early December, with one evening or a family night if they can. Book the room — a spare classroom, the library or the stage — before anything else, and put the dates in the school newsletter.
2. Decide what the shop is for
Some shops are a service: gifts are sold at cost so every child can take part. Others are a fundraiser with a small markup. Either is fine, but decide now, because it sets your prices. Our article on how to price Santa shop gifts walks through both.
3. Set a budget and a price ceiling
Choose the most any single gift will cost a child — many schools pick $5. Then stock mostly below it. Nearly every gift we sell is $5 or less, and more than 200 are $1 or less, so a child with a few dollars can still shop for the whole family.
Amazing Mom Pen
Superstar Dad Pen
I Love Grandma Mug
Big Bounce Sports Ball4. Order gifts for every person on a child’s list
Children shop by person, not by product. Cover Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, brothers and sisters, teachers and pets, and have a few gifts that work for anyone. See how many gifts to order for a simple way to work out quantities.
5. Order early and check the box when it arrives
Closeout gifts are limited — when an item sells out it may not come back this season. Order as soon as your budget is approved, and count the shipment against the packing slip the day it arrives so there is time to fix anything.
6. Recruit volunteers and send money envelopes home
You need people for setup, for helping the youngest shoppers choose, for the cash table and for bagging. Send a budget envelope home a week ahead so parents can write who the child is shopping for and how much they may spend.
7. Set up by person, price everything clearly
Lay tables out by recipient with a big sign on each, and put a price on every item or every bin. Our setup and shop-day tips cover table layout, bagging and the cash table.
8. After the shop
Count what is left, note what sold out first, and write down what you would change. Next year’s chair — maybe you — will thank you.
Questions while you plan? Contact us and a real person will help you choose gifts that fit your budget.
