At Kids’ Kastle, we know how exciting (and a little overwhelming) planning school holiday shops can be! Whether you’re a seasoned PTA member or new to organizing school fundraisers, promoting your holiday shop is key to its success.
Don’t worry— promoting your school holiday shop can be simple, effective, and achievable for every school. Dive in to 9 ways to promote your school holiday fundraiser that will make it the talk of the school!
1. Spread the Word About Your School Holiday Shop Early
The earlier you promote your school holiday shop, the better! Start sharing details 4–6 weeks before the event, if not sooner. Send home flyers in backpacks, include announcements in your school’s newsletters, and post updates on the school’s website. Early communication ensures parents and students can mark their calendars and get excited about shopping for gifts! Get the hype going on social media and with posters on the windows so no one can miss it when they come to visit or pick up their child.2. Leverage Social Media for the Best School Holiday Shop Promo
Social media is one of the easiest ways to promote your school holiday shop in 2025. Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to share posts, countdowns, and sneak peeks of the items students can buy. You can also create a Facebook event for your holiday shop to keep everyone in the loop. Encourage parents to share posts with friends and family to spread the word even further. Make your posts sharable, have easy to read graphics, and don’t be afraid to tag people who are interested. Bonus: partner with local businesses so they will cross-promote your school holiday shop fundraiser on their feeds.3. Send Reminders Regularly with School Holiday Shop Details
Life gets busy, and sometimes parents need a little nudge. About a week before the holiday shop, send a friendly reminder email or text blast. Mention the dates, times, and location of the shop, and include a brief list of the items available. Make this a weekly reminder during the final month countdown – we all know how easy the holidays can distract us! Tip: Attach a budget envelope or shopping checklist for students to bring to the event. Parents will appreciate the extra help in planning.
4. Promote Your Holiday Shop with Eye-Catching Posters
Bright, colorful posters are a great way to capture attention in hallways, classrooms, and common areas. Include the shop’s name, your theme for the year, dates, times, and a brief description, like: “Find the perfect gifts for family and friends at affordable prices!” You can even make this a fun project by involving students in designing the posters. The more involved students and the PTA are, the more word of mouth your holiday shop will get. Plus, local businesses may be willing to pitch in supplies or help promote the shop.5. Host a Kickoff Event to Get the Holiday Shop Started
Why not start your school holiday shop with a little fanfare? Host a kickoff event or assembly to build excitement. You could show off some of the gift items, explain how the shop works, and highlight how this school fundraiser supports the school. A kickoff event is a fantastic way to answer questions and get everyone looking forward to the big day. Plus, it gives everyone a chance to ask their questions and prepare so there are fewer hiccups or confusion the day of – win-win!6. Holiday Shops Should be Reminded During Morning Announcements
Morning announcements are perfect for quick reminders about your school holiday shop. In the days leading up to the event, share fun facts about the shop, highlight popular gift ideas, or give a shoutout to volunteers helping to make it happen. Mix it up so students and faculty don’t just tone it out, but find new reasons to get excited. For example: “Good morning! Don’t forget, the Kids’ Kastle Holiday Shop opens this Friday! Come pick out amazing gifts for your family and friends! Our theme is ‘winter wonderland’ so dress your winter best while you shop!”
7. School Holiday Shops Should Be Festive
Set the scene by decorating the holiday shop area in your theme of the year. Festive decorations like string lights, garlands, and holiday music can make the shopping experience feel extra special for students.
Parents and volunteers can also dress up in holiday attire to add to the festive atmosphere. When students have fun, they’ll want to spread the word to their friends. Pick a theme to easily get attention and one that is friendly for every winter holiday celebration.
8. Engage Volunteers – They Are the Magic Behind the School Holiday Shop
Your school holiday shop will shine with the help of parent and teacher volunteers. Ask for their support early, and encourage them to help promote the event. Volunteers can talk it up during parent-teacher meetings, sports events, or even while chatting in the carpool line.
More buzz means more shoppers, and more shoppers mean a more successful school fundraising promotion! Ask your volunteers what they need and make it easy for them to get involved.
9. Partner with Local Businesses As an Added Bonus to School Holiday Fundraiser
Team up with nearby businesses to promote your school holiday shop. Ask local coffee shops or stores to hang up posters or include your event in their community bulletins. Some businesses may even donate small items or services to support your school fundraiser. It’s a win-win situation that benefits everyone in the community!
Need more ideas? Check out how to promote your school holiday shop entirely online: How to Promote Your Virtual School Fundraiser
