I just took over as our PTO president, too. It is overwhelming planning for Santa's workshop, but here's what we did:

All items are $1 to enable all childrent to participate. Each child is limited to 10 items
It is nice to give each child $1 if you are able to do so (we can't this year due to limited funding)
We shopped at the Dollar Tree (a dollar store in Western PA) on the 10% off day. You can work with them to take you in the back of the store and buy by the case. Ideas for Men: flashlights, bungy cords, shaving cream, tool sets, measuring tapes, even ties (they're from their kids - they'll love them more than Brooks Brothers!)
Ideas for Women: Cookware - they have Betty Crocker items - they are awesome, my daughter got me one last year. For a buck, who can complain. They also have some really cute candles, nail kits, eyelash curlers, etc.
Ideas for Teens: nail polish and ear buds
Ideas for Pets: they have cat and dog toys
Grandmas: Eyeglass lanyards - they are really cute and even stylish
Grandpas: see Men
Boys: Here's where I struggled a bit until I found that we could buy Slime, footballs, handballs, and puzzles
Babies: Again, a struggle, but you can find some items, like wash cloths, puppet wash clothes, baby bottles (eh..), and sippy cups and little plates.

We also went to Claire's and bought a ton of 10 for $10 items. You can sometimes get coupons on the web - we got 30% off. Lastly, there is a little local boutique that just moved to town - I asked for discounts - they gave me 40% off. You never know until you ask.

Don't stress out, the kids will be happy with whatever you find. Focus on having fun and decorating to make it magical for them.

I just bought plastic pipe and huge plates to make lollipops and the "north pole" as decorations.....

Good luck!

www.kippbro.com
kidsgoshopping.com/info.php

http://www.funservices.com./

accessoriespalace.com/

www.orientaltrading.com/

www.JingleBellShop.com

www.reindeerlane.com/ (cannot get this link to come up)

www.gntinc.com/ (Gifts 'N Things)

http://www.buckwholesale.com./

here is a link, I haven't purchased from them yet, but they have a wide assortment of things for different holidays.

www.kippbro.com/servlet/net.ebiz.velocit...ontent/OrderCatalogs

The above is for the order catalog the the following is their website

www.kippbro.com/

Hope this helps.

We use Fun Services. You can find them at www.funservices.com. They are a no-risk Secret Santa Shopping program. Basically, you are shipped an assortment of items in varying price ranges. You then determine if you are going to make a profit of 0%, 10%, 20% or 30%. Then you set the date, advertise in your school and your local newspaper, and watch the shoppers come in. If you school allows it, sometimes you can have children shop during school hours. We are only doing a one day shop this year as our school does not wish to remove children from classes. We also are coordinating it with our Breakfast with Santa so they will have breakfast, sit on Santa's lap, get a picture, and shop! We also are incorporating our Cookie Walk during this time for the adults to purchase home-baked cookies by the dozen while they wait. Good luck!

we make alot of our own stuff.....we purchase inexpensive natural wood frames and decorate them as well as canvas bags. it's fun for us to do the crafts and great for the kids to have a larger and different selection.