About the Author
Amy Passmore
Amy Passmore is a fundraising for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups. Visit her website,
DIY Fundraising for fundraising tips and techniques.
The fall and winter holiday season is a busy time for everyone, including those involved in nonprofit fundraising. Holiday times are a good time for themed fundraisers. People are in the mood for giving to others less fortunate during holiday times. At this time of year people also appreciate being able to buy fundraising products that they can use during the holidays or give as gifts.
Yes, gift shopping is at its peak during the holidays. Moms and Dads are busy filling wishlists for the kids. One way that children can experience the joy of giving is through holiday shops that are held at elementary schools, pre-schools, and daycare centers.
Holiday gift shops are sometimes known as "Secret Santa Shops." Fundraising companies can provide everything necessary to run the program. The companies contract with the PTO or other organization and provide popular
low-priced gifts that children can buy at school to surprise their family, teachers and friends with.
Holiday gift shops are usually run for a period of three days in a large room such as a conference room or school library. The fundraising companies provide promotional and publicity items, pre-priced gifts, shopping bags, and, most times, cash registers. Parent volunteers do the setting up of the displays and gifts and help the children buy and wrap the gift items.
During the sales period the children usually go with their teachers, by classrooms, and buy their gifts during school hours. Often the shop is run during the evenings so parents can come in a buy gifts too.
The gift items are reasonably priced, usually between $3.00 and $10.00. The fundraising companies know which gifts are popular with the kids and if you run out of an item most companies offer overnight shipping of re-orders.
I have helped run holiday gifts shops and it's fun meet the kids and help them buy special presents. The children really like being about to buy presents on their own to surpise their family and friends.
The average holiday gift shop fundraiser can raise between $1,500 to $2,000 for your school. It is not too late to book an event with one of the many fundraising companies that offer this program. I have posted a list of companies that offer holiday shops on the DIY Fundraising Blog.
Article by Amy Passmore of DIY Fundraising. Visit www.diyfundraising.com for do-it-yourself fundraising ideas for nonprofit organizations, clubs, schools and groups.
Published by Amy Passmore on October 18, 2006 05:28 PM
