By Heather Lusk
For this year’s Secret Snowflake Shop, children can shop for a special pet on their list as well as other family members.
The fourth annual event at the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library is an opportunity for children to buy holiday gifts for important people in their lives. Each gift is $3, which includes wrapping.
To help reduce waiting in line, shoppers are encouraged to pre-register for one of four blocks of time. When they arrive, they’ll receive a group number and will be able to do crafts and activities around the library until their group is ready to enter the room.
“The hope is they’ll have a better sense of time to make it a more pleasurable shopping experience,” said Erin Czajkowski, co-chair for the event hosted by Friends of the Library. “Hopefully, their time in line will decrease.”
The addition of gifts for pets, primarily cats and dogs, was inspired by children’s requests in previous years. Gifts for humans are available for all ages, including special items appropriate for children younger than 3 years old.
Last year, more than 250 children shopped among 1,700 items. Czajkowski expects the number of both to increase this year.
Because parents aren’t allowed, shopping assistants aid children with their lists.
“We’ll do our best to guide them, but ultimately it’s the kids’ decision,” Czajkowski said.
While children are in the Snowflake Shop, parents can browse silent auction items created by Friends of the Library, with proceeds going to library programming. Baskets are expected to have themes of Minions, Zionsville dining and princesses.
The shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2. Registration for specific time slots can be made through ZionsvilleLibrary.org.
