Christmas gift-wrapping stand checklist: before, on the day and after

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Before

Get the business’s written OK for the date and the spot you’ll use.
Get the landowner’s permission in writing.
Check your group’s insurance covers this.
In September or October, call centre managers at smaller malls and the managers of bookshops, toy shops and department stores; ask whether they host a charity wrapping stand.
Ask what they supply (table, power, signage, paper) and their hours and rules on cash handling.
Agree dates, typically the last 2-3 weeks before 24 December, with late-night trading included.
Build a roster of 3-hour shifts with at least two wrappers per shift; parents, senior students and grandparents are ideal (Aotawhiti School).

While it runs

Run a 20-minute wrapping practice so quality is consistent: square corners, neat tape, a ribbon.
Source paper in bulk or as a donation; bring boxes for awkward shapes.
Display a clear sign: who you are, what the money is for, 'gold coin or koha'.
Use a sealed donation box and a tap-to-pay device; cash up in pairs at the end of each day.

After

Thank the host store and post your total afterwards; Aotawhiti School was invited back after managers were impressed (school website).
Bank the money and record it in the books.

Watch out for

Roster gaps on weekday mornings: fill those slots first.
Slow wrappers create queues; keep the stand to simple wrapping.
A cash-only box loses card-only shoppers.

Runs on mall or shop property with the centre manager's permission, so no council street-collection licence. Big Westfield centres choose their own charity partner each year.

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Christmas gift-wrapping stand: checklist

Before

While it runs

After

Watch out for

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