Santa Shops for School?

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

We have a small school may 90 kids PK-6th
This year I did the Santa shop real last minute and just went with the first company I found.
They already sent me a sign up sheet for this year, but I think their price were a bit high for a kids shop. Items went up $18!
So anyone know of a good Santa Shop company wih nce items and reasonable prices?

 

[EKW]

I don't know of a good shop, but at a school I used to work at the PTO bought items from the dollar store...keeping the receipts. If I remember correctly, they resold everything either at cost or for $1.25. They were able to return anything they didn't sell.

Their purpose was just to give the kids the opportunity to shop for their parents, not to make money. If I remember correctly, they also bought paper so the kids could wrap their presents at the shop.

 

[ashleyd725@hotmail.c]

I don't know of a good shop, but at a school I used to work at the PTO bought items from the dollar store...keeping the receipts. If I remember correctly, they resold everything either at cost or for $1.25. They were able to return anything they didn't sell.

Their purpose was just to give the kids the opportunity to shop for their parents, not to make money. If I remember correctly, they also bought paper so the kids could wrap their presents at the shop.

I ended up doing this on about the 3rd day because we were running low on items...
We're not trying to make money on the sale either so we may go this route.
I just like that the companies will give all the promotional info.

 

[hffmnheidi]

I did this several years with daycare kids(2s and up), so I have plenty of info and experience if you want to pick my brain for ideas/suggestions/advice. The first year is a hard lesson that everyone has to learn on how to do it/what not to do(and there's plenty of what not to dos).

It's not a bad idea to shop around companies for their promotional materials/ideas for what they offer. $18.00 sounds way too high for a kid's santa shop store for any age group in your school and I would get rid of that company in a heartbeat.

You can easily do this on your own...recruit the teachers from each grade level for their input on what items the kids would be apt to pick for their parents and maybe what they'd like to get from their own children.

Then head to the Dollar Stores in your town and visit several of them to stock up and get more than you think you'll need. You could even start stockpiling now on picture frames/keychains/notepads/pretty ink pens/magnets. Just store everything in a big ole rubbermaid tub with a label on it so you don't forget what it's for.

Paper too-plain paper in shades of red/green/white can be used for Christmas wrappings along with solid color bags and tissue paper, if you need them.

 

[Amg120499]

If you plan to go the dollar store route, you can purchase in bulk at www.dollartree.com.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I believe the PTO went out right after Christmas and scooped up clearance items, stored them in their homes and then sold them the next year. They had Hallmark ornaments, jewelry, lots of pretty nice things for cheap!

 

[TheRatPack]

We did the dollar store route when my kids were in school and the items were sold for 1.25....made adding it up really easy LOL We got all of ours stuff at the Dollar Tree.

 

[eyes4eeyore]

We have our own Santa Sale at school. In fact, it was only last year that I found out there were companies that do that. Yes, I'm slow.. Anyways, I've been doing about half of the buying for the past two years and this year I'll be heading it. We have items ranging from $1-$5. I do purchase a lot at the Dollar Store but also Walmart, The Christmas Shoppe, 5 Below and anyplace else that I run into a great deal. If you have the proper forms you can get most items tax free. The only other costs are the envelopes for the money, a letter home explaining, tissue paper and big paper shopping bags for the kids. We do return what we can but we also store items from one year to the next if they were purchased on clearance or not returnable. I'm guessing that means the first year we probably had a small loss, but other than that we've always pretty much broken even. I'd be happy to give you any ideas if you would like. I love seeing the smiles on the kids faces...makes me try really hard to find the best gifts I can for the price! It's a lot of work, but worth it!

 

[DOPEYLUVER]

I never really thought of the work that was involved in this. When my son was in kindergarten he bought me a ring from the Christmas sale. He was so excited to give it to me there was no convincing him he had to wait until Christmas. The ring was actually very pretty, but of course very cheap. He made sure I wore it everyday. One day we were at McDonald's and the stone fell into my fries. He didn't see it - thank heavens. I ended up going out and buying myself a "real" ring. It was a blue topaz, I think. It was the most reasonable priced ring I could get that looked close. It cost just about $200, which I really couldn't afford but it was well worth it. Within the last few years I told my son the truth about the ring that he thought he got me. He is now 19 years old and I still remember the day he got off the bus and couldn't wait to give me my present.

So to all of you who put your time and effort into this event, I would like to say THANK YOU.

 

[clh2]

So to all of you who put your time and effort into this event, I would like to say THANK YOU.

Aww - gee thanks!!! I was a "Secret Santa Shopper when my DD was in elementary school! I had stuff stored in my house from December 26th through the next year's sale. I loved doing this.

If anybody decides to go this route - you have to hit Target when they go 75% and 90% off. I used to know when EVERYTHING went on sale, at EVERY store near us. And - if anyone needs help with ideas - just shoot me a PM. I did this for 6 years, and I could probably give you a list of items to look for that would knock your socks off!

My favorite story - involved one of our special ed students. She made a lasting impression on me. She was a tiny thing - 3 years old the first year I worked with her, and then 4 years old the next Christmas. She has two older brothers - one who obviously spends time with her and that she adores. She took so much time getting the 1 brother something nice, and didn't really care what she was giving the other brother. When she was 4, one of the mom-helpers was assisitng her, and this girl absolutely insisted that her fav bro should get a set of Dr. Suess playground balls. She was insistent that this was what she wanted to get her fav brother. The mom helper asked me about this - and I said to absolutely let her give the brother the balls. He is the one who plays with her. That brother, while he might have thought the present to be odd, will NEVER, NEVER know how hard his sister worked to convince a couple of helping moms that this was the perfect present for him.

 

[wdwmaw]

We also go out to the local discounters and buy up. We use Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Big Lots, and a local wholesaler ( stuff like Oriental Trading). The wholesaler will not take returns. If you can get enough parents, we did bulk plastic ornaments and had parents personalize them, with letter initial for $1.
Also, you can get local stores to donate bags for shopping.

Please, do this on your own and stay away from those companies and you will keep the prices down for the kids.

 

[eyes4eeyore]

I never really thought of the work that was involved in this. When my son was in kindergarten he bought me a ring from the Christmas sale. He was so excited to give it to me there was no convincing him he had to wait until Christmas. The ring was actually very pretty, but of course very cheap. He made sure I wore it everyday. One day we were at McDonald's and the stone fell into my fries. He didn't see it - thank heavens. I ended up going out and buying myself a "real" ring. It was a blue topaz, I think. It was the most reasonable priced ring I could get that looked close. It cost just about $200, which I really couldn't afford but it was well worth it. Within the last few years I told my son the truth about the ring that he thought he got me. He is now 19 years old and I still remember the day he got off the bus and couldn't wait to give me my present.

So to all of you who put your time and effort into this event, I would like to say THANK YOU.

What a sweet story. You made me cry....happy tears, of course! Nice job mom! I'll remember this one in early December when a little more fuel is needed for the final push!

 

[eyes4eeyore]

Another thing you can do is watch Kohl's clearance items....add a 30% off coupon and you can get some pretty great stuff! I just got some 20.00 pocket watches for 2.20!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I used to run the Breakfast with Santa that went along with the Santa Shop at our old school. It was a great company, wish I could remember the name. Our new school's seems pricey to me, but I still do it because it is so special to the kids. They also give all the gift bags free so the kids can bring the things home wrapped. BUT, if your school is that small, contact Dollar Tree. They let me bring my Girl Ssout troops there. I am not sure how it would work with your class but for us they had us come early one morning and shop while the store was closed. They only charged for what they bought and even gave us some free wrapping paper to wrap everything. Maybe if time worked you could do that in a couple groups?

It has been some of my best memories being a part of it. My kids love it, but I think it is even more special to the kids whose parents wouldn't normally do anything like that with them. They have so much fun figuring out where to spend their money and on who.

 

[mom2val]

We use a local company that is able to restock within hours for us. My best advice would be contact the other schools in your area and ask who they use.

 

[santa's surpriz]

Santa Shop Coordinator here! Our school has used Kidsmart forever, they have a varied selection at several price points. Very affordable on a kiddos budget. If you order early enough you get a discount.