Beaded keychains, water bottle covers, charcuterie boards and desserts like cookies, fudge and muffins were just some of the items that were created and sold by students at the Hershey Christian Academy (HCA) Christmas Market on Dec. 2.

As part of a first-time effort, students were invited to form their own businesses and come up with products to sell at the event. Approved student vendors were given start-up money provided by the school.

"The students had to talk with their parents and come up with a business plan and share that with me," explained HCA administrator Cindy Kern. "They had to tell me what they were selling and how they were going to make it. Then, I would approve it, and they got their $25 seed money to start their businesses."

About 35 students participated in the market representing grade levels from kindergarten through grade eight.

In addition to the items already mentioned, other merchandise for sale at the Christmas Market included decorated walking sticks, chocolate and peppermint bark and Christmas and get well cards. One student vendor offered hot chocolate along with vanilla, chocolate and peppermint milkshakes.

"Someone made soap that looked like cinnamon buns. Someone sold Amish coffee and old-fashioned hard candies," said Kern. "Someone made Christmas carol ornaments out of wood, and someone folded pages of old books and made them look like Christmas trees that you could stand up."

The students completed the work at home and donated the proceeds of their sales back to the school. "They did everything on their own with a lot of parent help," noted Kern. "The profits went to the school, but some have continued their businesses and are keeping that money."

The day also included a contest to see which student made the most money. The winner got an Amazon gift card. "The most money raised was $105. (That vendor was) selling opera fudge and shoefly pies," Kern reported.

This is the first time that student vendors were added to the Christmas Market, which also included music, food and children's activities. "We still had vendors this year, (but they were) separate from the children," Kern said. "We provided entertainment in the gym, where the food was."

Through the activity, students learned many lessons about business such as budgeting and customer service. "Next year, we are going to be teaching them some things about investing and starting a business and handling money. That will be part of a school lesson," Kern noted. "For this year, they learned how much money they could earn just by starting out with $25 and purchasing supplies and selling. When there was a purchase, they were doing a lot of interacting (with the customers). They handled themselves so well."

Hershey Christian Academy, which serves students in prekindergarten through grade 12, is located at 3003 Elizabethtown Road, Hershey. For more information about the school, call 717-312-7595 or visit www.facebook.com/hersheychristianacademy or http://www.hersheychristianacademy.org.