On Friday, December 1, Queen’s Grant Community School hosted their annual day of “one stop shopping for the holiday season!”
Known today as “Mistletoe Madness,” the even began almost ten years ago as Queen’s Grant’s “Holiday Shop,” a 5-day shop where Queen’s Grant students could shop for loved ones. In addition to providing a safe space for the children to shop, the Holiday Shop was meant to help them focus on giving instead of just receiving.
“We started with the holiday shop when my daughter, who’s a junior, was in second grade,” says PTA Treasurer Sandy Ubriaco. “When our school started growing more and more and we lost some of our space, we couldn’t do it every day.” When the room in which the event was held became unavailable Queen’s Grant faced a problem: there was still a demand for the Holiday Shop.
About five years ago, what was simply the Holiday Shop became Mistletoe Madness, a one-day holiday shopping event open not just to Queen’s Grant families but the whole Mint Hill community. Mistletoe Madness still includes a small Holiday Shop where children can shop unsupervised for parents and other loved ones. Items in the Holiday Shop range in price from $.25 to $12.00, making it the perfect safe place for young children to find something for everyone on their list. The Holiday Shop makes a small profit, which is used to sponsor a Queen’s Grant family in need for Christmas.
“My seven year old is very excited about gifting the small presents she purchased at the kids’ shop,” says Queen’s Grant parent Ellee Wallace. “She even used her own money so she’s been in charge of the whole process.”
Mistletoe Madness also included over over twenty vendors were set up selling holiday decorations, jewelry, and handcrafted and personalized items. Also present were several direct sales representatives selling Norwex, Arbonne, and Juice Plus. Many of the vendors were Queen’s Grant parents, and the $25.00 vendor fee went toward supporting Queen’s Grant’s music department.
Mistletoe Madness also included an appearance by two very special visitors: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus! Shoppers were welcome to visit with the Clauses, take photographs with them, and deliver their Christmas wish lists.
“Mr. and Mrs. Claus are wonderful at working with shy children,” says Wallace. “Santa and Mrs. Claus looked amazing and were wonderful with the kids!” added Miranda DeHart, a visitor to Queen’s Grant.
All in all, Mistletoe Madness was a wonderful way for Queen’s Grant families and Mint Hill residents alike to shop for the holidays and enjoy an evening of Christmas cheer!
