How Game On! Holiday Shoppe Works — A Complete Guide for PTA and PTO Boards
If your PTA or PTO board has been searching for a better school fundraiser, you've probably already heard about in-school holiday shopping events. But the most common question we get from Colorado Springs school coordinators is simple: How does it actually work?
Great news — it's easier than you think. Here's our complete 4-step process, from your first conversation with us to the moment your fundraising check is in hand.
Step 1: Plan Your Shoppe
Everything starts with a quick conversation. Reach out through our contact page, and we'll walk you through available dates and get your school confirmed once the contract is signed. Dates fill up fast — especially November and December — so the sooner you reach out, the better your options.
A few things worth knowing upfront:
- No upfront costs or hidden fees. Your school only pays for what is actually sold.
- 20% fundraising payout on all sales — and if you sign up by September 11, 2026, that jumps to 25%.
- Booking closes October 1, 2026, so we can get your merchandise ordered in time.
Step 2: We Deliver Everything
Six weeks before your selling week, you'll receive a complete marketing materials packet — posters, money envelopes, a yard sign, and social media templates to promote the event to students and families in the weeks leading up to the shop.
Then, on Monday of your selling week, we deliver everything your school needs directly to your door:
- Labeled boxes of merchandise, organized for easy setup by your volunteers
- Gift bags, gift tags, tissue paper, and markers
- A pre-programmed register, cash drawer, and handheld scanner for fast, easy checkout
Your volunteers handle setup and run the shop all week. We're available during school hours to answer any questions that come up, and if you sell through merchandise faster than expected, we can deliver more if inventory is available.
Step 3: Sell At School
This is the fun part. Each class gets a dedicated shopping window, kids browse real gifts with real price tags, and your PTO volunteers help them find something great within their budget. With 88% of gifts priced under $8, there's something for every kid and every budget. gameonholidayshoppe
No inventory counting. No cash register headaches. The handheld scanner makes checkout fast, and the pre-programmed register tracks every sale automatically so your volunteers can focus on the kids — not the paperwork.
Step 4: Pickup and Cash Out
On Friday when school lets out, we come to you. We collect the register, all remaining merchandise, and any leftover sales materials — and we handle the inventory count at our facility so your volunteers don't have to touch it.
Sales and fundraising totals are finalized right there on site. Your PTO walks away knowing exactly what the school earned, and that money goes straight back to your students and classrooms.
Ready to Book Your School's Holiday Shop?
That's it — four steps, zero upfront cost, and a fundraiser your school community will actually look forward to. Colorado Springs elementary schools are booking their fall dates now, and spots are going fast.
Sign up by September 11, 2026 to lock in your 25% fundraising payout.
👉 Learn more on our How It Works page or head straight to our Contact page to get your date on the calendar.