Holiday Shop Tip: Set Up a Wrapping Station!

A wrapping station turns your Holiday Shop from a shopping trip into a complete gift-giving experience. Kids already love picking out presents for the people they love. When they get to wrap those presents, too, the gift becomes truly theirs, from the first look to the last piece of tape.

The best part? A great wrapping station is easy to set up. With a table, our gift bags, and a few basic supplies, your volunteers can create a spot that kids will remember long after the shop closes. Here’s how.

Step 1: Show off our gift bags in all three sizes

Start by setting up a display of our adorable Penguin Patch gift bags in all three sizes. Each bag features our festive penguin, a flurry of snowflakes, and a built-in “To” and “From” spot, so there’s no need for separate gift tags.

Having every size on hand lets kids choose the perfect fit for each treasure, whether it’s a tiny keychain for a sibling or a cozy mug for Grandma. Sort the bags by size in bins or neat stacks so shoppers can grab what they need quickly, and so volunteers can spot when a size is running low.

Step 2: Set out crayons and markers

Next, add a supply of crayons and markers so little shoppers can address their gifts in their very own handwriting. A wobbly “To Mom” or a carefully spelled “To Grandpa” means more than any printed label ever could.

This is also where kids’ creativity comes out. Some will add hearts, stars, or a quick drawing of their family dog. Encourage it! That personal touch is what turns a simple gift bag into a keepsake.

Step 3: Add tape and a stapler to keep it a surprise

Finally, put out tape and a stapler so kids can seal their bags shut. Nothing beats the excitement of a gift nobody can peek at! A quick fold at the top, a strip of tape or a staple or two, and the surprise is safe until the big day.

Tip: Keep the stapler at the volunteer end of the table so a grown-up can lend a hand with the youngest shoppers.

Tips for a smooth wrapping station

• Place it near the checkout. Kids can head straight from paying to wrapping, which keeps the line moving.
• Use a long table. Arrange it in order: bags first, then crayons and markers, then tape and stapler. Kids move down the table like an assembly line.
• Recruit a wrapping helper. One volunteer stationed at the table can help little hands and keep supplies stocked.
• Have extras on hand. Keep spare tape rolls, staples, and a few more markers nearby. They go fast on busy days!
• Write names on the bag, too. Have kids add their own name and classroom on the bag so it gets back to the right student if it’s left behind.

The best part

Watch their faces light up as they proudly carry out a gift they picked AND wrapped all by themselves. That moment of pride is what the Holiday Shop is all about: kids learning the joy of giving, one little gift bag at a time.

So grab a table, stock up on supplies, and get ready for some very happy shoppers. Have a great wrapping station idea of your own? We’d love to hear it! Share your photos with us on social media and tag Penguin Patch.