MANSFIELD — How often do children get to play Santa Claus themselves?
Every year in downtown Mansfield though the Tiny Tim Christmas Shoppe, which opens again on Nov. 23 at 128 N. Main St.
The holiday store allows children 12 and under to shop for family and friends on their Christmas list, assisted by volunteers.
“The Tiny Tim Shoppe is a tradition for many area families,” said Jennifer Kime, CEO of Downtown Mansfield Inc., which hosts the shoppe each year. “We have parents bringing their kids to the shop who went as children themselves.”
The Tiny Tim Shoppe will be open on five consecutive Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21.
Additionally, it will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 for “Christmas Time in the City,” one of the downtown’s busiest days of the year.
To shop, one reservation must be made per each child shopping. Reservations are free and four time slots are available per each half hour
Families with more children should reserve overlapping times. For example, a family of six children would reserve four tickets between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and two tickets
between 10:30 and 11.
Children shopping at the Tiny Tim Christmas Shoppe will be assisted by a volunteer who can aide with picking out gifts as well as wrapping and tagging them appropriately.
Available gifts vary widely between jewelry, home goods, Christmas decorations, and toys. Gifts are $15 or less.
“It’s a great opportunity to grow the spirit of independence and giving among children,” Kime said. “Most importantly, it’s fun to see the unique gifts that children choose for their loved ones.
“The Tiny Tim Christmas Shoppe features items from a dozen area small businesses and is also a great way to shop small,” Kime said.
To sign up for time to shop, visit https://www.shopdineexploreandmore.com/tinytimshoppe
Established in 1989, Downtown Mansfield, Inc. is a nonprofit membership-based organization whose mission is to stimulate economic development, improve the appearance and create a positive image of the downtown as a desirable place to work, live, visit, shop, and invest.
