Holiday shopping can be a little scary for adults and children alike. Are you getting the best price? Is the clerk giving you back the correct change? How bad will the crowd be?
Woodstock Elementary’s PTA helps students circumvent shopping woes with the Elf Shoppe. During 15-minute appointments, adult volunteers help escort young shoppers through a classroom-turned-store stocked with a variety of reasonably priced items meant to give to family members, pets and friends.
The shop is open the same week as the PTA’s Holiday Extravaganza, which has pictures with Santa, crafts for kids, letters to Santa, a vendor fair and more.
The prices at the Elf Shop are lower than at retail outlets. Students practice their math while adding up the cost of different items. Volunteers wrap the presents.
Several schools have similar experiences for students, often with the help of companies that specialize in student shopping. Woodstock Elementary’s PTA branched out on its own to purchase bargain items at after-Christmas sales. Any money left over goes to purchasing next year’s stock.
“We’re not trying to turn a profit,” said Lauren Lester, PTA vice president. “It’s more about the experience for the kids.”
David! It was so nice reconnecting with you. Thank you for sharing the Woodstock Magic Elf Shoppe story and highlighting the amazing work of our PTA. We couldn’t do this without the help of our volunteers, including you, and of course our Committee Chair Sabrina Williams. Planning for the event is a year-long commitment and operating the Shoppe is most definitely a labor of love. Wishing our VBCPS family a beautiful holiday season!