Long-running Briarwood Christmas Shop set for Nov. 7-8
The Briarwood Christmas Shop returns this month for a shopping experience that supports Briarwood Christian High School.
The event has taken place for more than 20 years and is a fundraiser for the Briarwood Christian High School Parent Teacher Fellowship (its version of a PTO).
Amy Pylant is in her third as chairman of the Christmas Shop committee and said this is the biggest fundraising event of the year.
“All the money earned goes back to the school,” Pylant said. “Our job is to come alongside and support the teachers and faculty as they support the students in the classroom.”
Pylant said the event also allows the PTF to interact with the community.
Held in the Fellowship Hall at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, the shop will have 50-plus vendors with a variety of products for sale.
The vendors will have quality products, including jewelry, artwork, pottery, clothing, home goods and more. Pylant said the shop is a great opportunity for Christmas gifts, stocking stuffers and those who are hard to buy for. She also encourages husbands to stop by and purchase a surprise gift for their wife.
Pylant said guests can get a lot of their Christmas shopping done at the Christmas Shop, which is run by a group of BCS parents who volunteer in two-hour shifts during the two-day event. High school students will also be on hand to help while earning service hours.
Many of the vendors come back year after year because they are treated so well.
“We always make sure our vendors are cared for and help them anyway we can,” Pylant said. “We simply sell the booth space and give them the opportunity to market their goods.”
The vendor booth spaces are $175. BCS keeps those profits, but the vendors keep 100% of their sales. All the vendors also donate door prizes for giveaways and no purchase is necessary to win.
“You can come walk around and shop and possibly walk out the door with a door prize, which we give away every 15 minutes,” Pylant said. “People are always excited to win something.”
While Pylant said there is no specific goal for an amount to raise, she said that number is usually between $10,000 and $12,000.
“We really just trust the Lord for what he brings us,” she said. “This is just a great opportunity for us to invite people into our church and allow them to get to know Briarwood a little better while shopping.”
The Briarwood Christmas Shop will be Thursday Nov. 7 from noon-6 p.m. and Friday Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit facebook.com/BriarwoodChristmasshop.