MANSFIELD — Payton and Sydney Noland knocked out most of their Christmas shopping on Saturday afternoon at a single store — The Tiny Tim Shoppe at Downtown Mansfield Inc. (DMI).

Visiting the shop is an annual tradition for the twins, according to their mother, Heather Noland.

“They look forward to this every year,” she said. “I love to see what they chose for each one of the family members.” 

“It teaches them a little bit about money and how to spend money and to think about other people. They think of other people instead of themselves,” added Sue Messmore, the girls’ grandmother.

For more than 20 years, The Tiny Tim Shoppe has provided local children an opportunity to shop for affordable gifts for their loved ones. The shop features gifts for all ages, mostly from local merchants and all priced at $15 or less. Each child is assigned a volunteer to help them pick out and wrap their gifts. 

Lyn LaPorte, the former owner of Main Street Books, founded and ran The Tiny Tim Shoppe until her retirement. Downtown Mansfield Inc. has operated the shop for the last eight years, according to CEO Jennifer Kime.

The experience has become a beloved tradition for many families.

“We have people that come in who brought their kids and now they bring their grandkids,” said Katie Crall, events and marketing assistant at DMI.

Halle Hamilton, a senior at Lexington High School, said she’s enjoyed being around the kids as a volunteer. 

“I think it was my second day here, there was a girl and she had a list of about 13 people. It took us about an hour to shop around for all of them,” she said. “It was really fun because she was the sweetest little girl.”

COVID-19 hasn’t changed the process much, except for the fact that shoppers now have to reserve a time slot online. Reservations are limited to four children per hour to allow for social distancing.

“I think it’s good to give the kids a chance to be a part of giving to their loved ones,” said Aurelio Diaz, who also volunteered Saturday. “Especially now during the pandemic, any kind of cheer and joy and sense of normalcy is really important.”

Crall said families have been very understanding regarding the change.

“They’ve just been very excited that we were still able to do it,” Crall said. “It’s almost better having them sign up because last year we would have people show up and have to wait. You might be sitting out there with two kids waiting for an hour because we have kids in front of you.

“I think it makes it easier for everyone.”

There were 45 children signed up to shop on Saturday. The shop typically runs from mid-November until the last Saturday before Christmas. 

Times are still available for Dec. 12 and 19. Guests can reserve a slot at shopdineexploreandmore.com.