The Western Development Museum is hanging the stockings and preparing the Christmas trees to get ready for their upcoming holiday events for the kids.
Karla Rasmussen, programs coordinator at the WDM, is excited to once again see all the happy faces gather for the holiday activities, which begin with a packed day on Nov. 23.
The Kids’ Secret Shopping experience will be returning once again this year, giving children aged three and up a chance to do some Christmas shopping all on their own so they can surprise their family on Christmas morning.
Volunteer elves from the WDM will help the kids pick out gifts from their list and budget, no parents allowed, before wrapping them and sending them home to stack under the tree. All the gifts are from the WDM gift shop, and range from $1 to $15, to fit every budget.
The event is cash only and will also feature an activity room with cartoons, and crafts. Kids can even write a letter to Santa while they are waiting in line for their turn.
“The best part of this event is that there are no parents allowed,” said Rasmussen. “And let me tell you, it is the best feeling to see those young folks come out of there just beaming with pride, having chosen all of their gifts for themselves.”
For those who are WDM members, the Kids’ Secret Shopping event will host a special preview on the night before, to shorten the wait times during the busy day — last year, the WDM helped 200 kids with their Christmas shopping.
Also on Nov. 23, the Moose Jaw Amateur Radio Club will be on hand for Shortwave to Santa. They will have with them the proper hardware for the kids to speak with the jolly North Pole resident.
“They usually bring a television as well, so you can see Santa's talking on the radio to you,” said Rasmussen. “It is the coolest thing, and the young folks really get a kick out of it.”
Alongside both these activities, the annual Breakfast With Mrs. Claus will also be returning, hosted by the Moose Jaw Girl Guides as their largest fundraiser outside cookie sales.
Breakfast will feature not only the wife of the jolliest man on earth, but also tasty pancakes with a toppings bar and an assortment of baking for sale. All proceeds will return to the Girl Guides, to support their activities throughout the year.
“It's a great way to come out and support the Girl Guides, which is a wonderful organization here in Moose Jaw, and get into that festive spirit,” said Rasmussen.
Tickets for Breakfast with Mrs. Claus cost $5 each, and are available at the WDM or from the Girl Guides. Breakfast runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and children three years and under are free.
The Kids’ Secret Shopping and Shortwave to Santa events have no admission outside of the regular admission to the WDM and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
