The Rocky View Chestermere Agricultural Society is preparing to host its annual Kids Holiday Store, a chance for children to shop for gifts for their loved ones with the help of an elf at Camp Chestermere on Dec. 3.
According to Kim Soderberg McRae, secretary for the Rocky View Chestermere Agricultural Society, the organization took over the Kids Holiday Store last year. The store was previously operated by the City of Chestermere’s community support services as far back as 2017.
She said the store is a shopping event for children that gives them an opportunity to select gifts for their loved ones without the help of a parent or caregiver.
“Each child is paired with an elf when they enter the store and they are able to browse through the gift aisles and are able to pick the perfect gift,” McRae said. “They then meet more elves at the wrapping station to have their gifts wrapped.”
She added the kids are then ushered to the checkout station to pay for their gifts with special “Kids Holiday Store” tokens.
“Then the elves return the little shoppers to their parents who are waiting outside,” she concluded.
The organization secretary said participants can choose from four different one-hour time slots for their shopping experience, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – though, she added the 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. time slot was already sold out as of Nov. 24.
Participants are encouraged to select their ticket type (one per child) based on their desired time slot and on how many gifts the child will be purchasing during the event. Gifts are valued at approximately $5 or more.
The Kids Holiday Store is geared towards children who are four years of age or older and the shopping experience lasts on average 20 minutes once the child has entered the store.
“The Kids Holiday Store is a great way for children to experience independent decision-making and decide what their mom or little brother, or any other family member, would like for Christmas,” McRae said.
She added Chestermere families have come to really relish the annual event.
“The community loves this event – we have volunteers that have been doing this for years, and it’s the highlight of their holiday season,” she said.
McRae added the holiday store takes place in conjunction with the second annual “That Winter Thing” holiday event, which features a full day of wintery activities for the whole family.
Tickets for the event can be purchase through Camp Chestermere’s website.
Additionally, the agricultural society is in need of several sponsors to help purchase gifts for the annual Kids Holiday Store. Those interested in sponsoring a gift are encouraged to contact the society via email at [email protected] or through the society’s Facebook page.
“Your sponsorship will allow us to fill the store shelves with a wide array of gifts for the children to choose from,” McRae stated.
She added the store is also in need of new and like-new items for adults, children, and youth. Cash donations are also accepted, and donation bins are available at Chestermere Recreation Centre, Chestermere Public Library, Camp Chestermere, and Synergy Centre for Community Leadership.
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 1. Additionally, tickets for the event are available on the society’s website at rvcagsociety.ca.
This year’s proceeds from the Kids Holiday Store are going to the Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society.
