Hempfield High School, 200 Stanley Ave., Landisville, will host its annual Holiday Shoppe on Friday, Dec. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at its Franklin Gymnasium. Multiple stands will sell holiday items and treats in the gym, and each stand will be operated by a different class from within the Hempfield School District. The stands will only accept cash payment for goods.

This year marks the seventh year that Hempfield has hosted the Holiday Shoppe, an idea that was inspired by the Lancaster Holiday Student Mini-Business Bazaar, sponsored by IU13. "We had been attending the IU13 holiday bazaar for many years and realized how many Hempfield classes were participating," said Kristie Beatty, who teaches the life skills class at the high school. Ranging from elementary school to high school, different classes run mini businesses for the Holiday Shoppe that sell items such as food, holiday gifts and crafts.

All of the funds raised by each mini business directly benefit their respective class, used for things such as school supplies, field trips and special events. This year, 12 classes will set up stands for the event, including classes from Centerville Middle School, East Petersburg Elementary School, Landisville Middle School, Mountville Elementary School and the Landisville Education Center.

Beatty's life skills class will operate a stand for The Grind, a mini business that serves coffee and snacks to Hempfield High School faculty every Friday. During the Holiday Shoppe, Beatty's students will serve hot chocolate, coffee, doughnuts and hot dogs at lunchtime. Last year, the life skills class visited the Philadelphia Zoo with the money raised from The Grind.

Some of Beatty's other students will operate the Hempfield Magnet Makers and Knights of the Red Tablet stands. Each stand will sell custom-made holiday refrigerator magnets, as well as writing tablets, respectively. For the magnets, students use glue and fabric to create a design for the finished products. "We make sure everything is perfect," said student Lydia Maldonado.

"The kids work so hard to make these items. I love seeing everything come to fruition," said Beatty. "(The kids) display and sell the items and see the profits of their work." Beatty also noted that the support from the community each year is tremendous; without the high turnout for the event, the school would not be able to continue it.

So if you're looking to purchase a holiday gift for yourself or a family member, or if you would just like a cup of fresh hot chocolate, check out the Holiday Shoppe at Hempfield this Christmas season.