Eighth annual Holiday Gift Store for kids, photos with Santa set for Dec. 16

November 13, 2017

Rowen and Ellie Cook, children of Dustin and Rebecca Cook, had a visit with Santa Claus

Rowen and Ellie Cook, children of Dustin and Rebecca Cook, had a visit with Santa Claus last year during the NWOSU Art Society’s annual Photos with Santa event. This event, along with the Holiday Gift Store for Kids, will take place this year on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Center.

Looking for a fun activity for the kids in mid-December? Look no further than the eighth annual Holiday Gift Store for Kids and Photos with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Student Center in Alva. Members of the NWOSU Art Society (NAS) sponsor this annual event.

Angelia Case, NAS sponsor, said that the Holiday Store provides children an inexpensive and fun way to shop for loved ones, friends, teachers and even pets. Prices on a variety of merchandise usually range from 50 cents to less than $20.

“We hope that by providing this store the children get to experience the thrill of ‘secretly’ buying gifts, as well as learning the practical lessons of budgeting, handling money and making decisions, but most of all, the pride and joy of gift-giving,” Case said. “We’ve had parents who have returned year after year tell us that their children are really enjoying seeing others open the gifts they’ve picked out.”

As always, parents and family members are welcome to accompany their children through the store, but they also may watch them from afar if their children want to keep their present a surprise. If that’s the case, club members will be available to help them to stay within their budget. The children will then receive help in getting the gifts wrapped and ready to take home.

Case said that only a few children are allowed in the store at one time to make it a positive experience for everyone.

“If you’re waiting to come into the store, take advantage of a visit with Santa Claus, who will be right next door ready to visit and take photos with kids of all ages,” Case said.

Several photos will be taken during visits with Santa and then downloaded to a laptop computer for immediate viewing, Case said. Photos can be selected, and for a flat fee of $5 for each photo, the purchaser will receive the original digital negative file(s).

The club members plan to have three Santa Photo viewing stations to help speed up the selection process. To help even further, those getting photos taken are asked to bring a jump drive so photos can be provided before they leave. Those without a jump drive will have to wait for the files to be emailed to the address they provide on their order form.

“In the past, we’ve had a handful of emails either bounce back to us with no way for us to get ahold of anyone for an alternate email address, or the messages haven’t bounced back to us leading us to believe that all is well only to find out that some never received their photos,” Case said. “If you haven’t received your photos within a week, please let us know.”

For more information about the Holiday Store, Photos with Santa, NAS in general, or if other members of clubs would like to volunteer their time to help in the store or to do activities outside the store while children are waiting, please contact Case at (580) 327-8577 or arcase@nwosu.edu.

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CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Ali Gavitt, University Relations Specialist
apgavitt@nwosu.edu; 580-327-8480