Children’s eyes dance as they wander about the handmade crafts lined up on one-foot-high tables. Aromas of cinnamon and evergreen satiate the air and holiday colors fill the room. Hidden behind a curtain, preschoolers wander through the shop, selecting Christmas gifts for their loved ones, from their mom and dad to the family pet. 

 Summerville Parent Nursery School's annual Christmas shop took place on Dec. 12 at the Sonora Moose Lodge, filling the traditionally-somber room with the squeals of happy preschoolers.

 At this event, children enter with a list of people to shop for and a price limit. Santa’s "Elves" volunteer, helping children pick that perfect gift.. The crafts -- handmade by parents, grandparents, and community members -- range from 50 cents to five dollars. All of the proceeds go to buying supplies, paying rent, and other necessary costs of running the preschool. 

 "You wouldn't think that we would make that much money by selling these little things," said Molly Rose, the teacher at the preschool, "but we usually make anywhere from $5000 to $7000 dollars."

 Rose, or as her students call her, "Ms. Molly," noted that the event has been a major fundraiser for the school for more than 40 years. 

  "It's a tradition," she said. "People look forward to it and expect us to have it."

  She also expressed her admiration for the parents who organize the event, saying, "I watch the kids and the parents plan this from August to December."

  The elves volunteer their time to help the preschoolers pick out gifts for their loved ones, but they're not there to fulfill community service hours; instead they share their time simply to witness the small childrens’ joy.

 12-year-old Liam Rose volunteered as an elf this year, helping preschoolers navigate the array of gifts.

 "I really like helping kids and seeing their smiles," he said. "I like seeing them discover and explore."

 Jumping up and down out of excitement, Chase Hall passed through the curtains.

 His "elf" followed close behind. Glancing at the list of people Chase had to shop for, she asked the 4-year-old what he wanted to buy for his dad.

 He picked out a flexible wooden snake, explaining, "He used to have a blue snake, but it got all broken."

 Next on the list were Chase's Grandpa Jim and Grandma Denise. Chase, still intrigued by the snakes, picked up two more and placed them in the bag, ensuring that his family would not run out of snakes anytime soon.

 Coraline Kennedy, a kindergartener at Sierra Waldorf School who returned for the event, picked out a homemade stress ball for her 2-year-old brother.

 When she finished shopping, she brought her gifts to the wrapping station, giggling at the thought of her brother playing with what she called a "booty ball".

 She played with the ball until it was time to wrap it.     

 "The last thing is this! Rowan's got this!" she said. "Let's give him the silly letter bag."        

 The parent, wrapping up items, smiled, saying, "Don't let him eat it, deal?"

 "Deal," agreed Coraline.