Holiday Shops Celebrates 49 Years

What happens when you hand-select 52 vendors from around the country and invite them to USM to sell their exclusive apparel, jewelry, home decor, and more? You get Holiday Shops, a signature fundraising event that provides vital support for student activities and programming. For 49 years, Holiday Shops has been organized by the Parents’ Association and run 100% by volunteers. Although it has changed and evolved over the years, it remains a festive precursor to the holidays, providing meaningful support for student experiences at USM.

Holiday Shops - By the Numbers

• $140,000: Total raised via vendor sales, donations, silent auction, and corporate sponsorships.
• 52: new and returning vendors
• 1,500+: Attendees over four days

Programming Supported by Holiday Shops

Holiday Shops revenue is vital to supporting a variety of student programming and activities, some of which are listed below. The funds help offset expenses like facility and equipment rentals, food, vendors, and transportation.

• Prekindergarten Doctor’s Park trip
• Preschool Fall Festival
• 2nd grade Camp Minikani overnight trip
• 8th grade Washington, D.C. trip
• Homecoming dance
• Prom
• Senior dinner
• Spirit T-shirts for new students