While the season of Advent helps us prepare our hearts for Christ’s birth, the Christmas Shoppe is here to help us prepare for Christmas in other ways. The Christmas Shoppe is both a craft fair and an opportunity to support John Paul II Catholic School, all while shopping locally for one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts.
Ruth Herrold founded the Christmas Shoppe with her friend, Judy Dowd, seven years ago. The two attended a craft fair and realized there was potential for bringing such an event to Queen of the Holy Rosary as a fundraiser. Ruth has great-grandchildren who are students at the school and the whole family helps with the Christmas Shoppe.
“I think Catholic education is the best way to go,” Ruth says. “If someone can’t afford it, we should be able to help them.”
The proceeds from the Christmas Shoppe help cover students’ tuition, making a quality and faith-focused education much more accessible. The Christmas Shoppe is an event for the whole family. Come take a photo with Santa Claus, browse dozens of vendors, enter the 50/50 raffle, buy baked goods and a casserole, and enjoy seeing the entire community come out to support the school.
This year will be the second Christmas Shoppe since taking a year off due to COVID restrictions.
“We came back with a roaring start,” Ruth says. “Everybody was so glad to be able to talk to people and see people. It went over really well.”
Shoppers will find a wide assortment of handmade gifts, ornaments, crocheted and knitted goods, as well as beautiful olive wood carvings from Bethlehem. From decor to jewelry, everything you need to prepare your home and fill the stockings can be found right here at the Christmas Shoppe.
A lunch of chili, hotdogs, soup, and sides will be prepared by the St. Monica’s Circle from St. Pius X. Homemade casseroles will be available for purchase along with baked goods.
“I always say, ‘come shop with us, stay for lunch, and take home a casserole for dinner,’” Ruth says.
The Christmas Shoppe will be held on Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on Dec. 3 from 7:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Santa Claus will be present from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Christmas Shoppe will be held in the basement of Queen of the Holy Rosary. Parishioners are invited to contribute baked goods or a casserole and recipe to the sale.