We round up lots of fun ways your group can make the holidays a little brighter with festive activities and events that will become new traditions for your school community.
Deck the Lockers Fundraiser
Here's how it works: ask families for gift wrap donations and charge a set amount for each locker and staff door. This festive fundraiser raised just over $1,600 for Cass City Red Hawk PTO (they charged $4 per locker and $5 per staff door).
@ptotoday Deck the lockers! This festive fundrasier raised just over $1,600 ✨ 📸 Cass City Red Hawk PTO #ptolife #schoolfundraiser #ptopresident #ptamom #ptomom ♬ Deck the Halls Fa La La - Fat Cat
Battle of Classroom Doors
@ptotoday Battle of the classroom doors is a fun new holiday tradition your PTO can start now! 📸 Hamilton Christian PTO #classroomdecor #ptomoms #ptamoms #ptopresident #ptapresident #schoolvolunteer #ptolife #ptalife #holidayvibes ♬ It's Giving Holiday - Target
Convince your principal to dress up like Elf on the Shelf...and sit on the school roof to welcome students at drop-off
This is also a fun, low-cost fundraising incentive for students!
Chalking the restroom mirrors
For the last week of school, Brookside Elementary PTO in Nicholasville, Kentucky used these liquid chalk markers to draw festive characters and positive sayings (like "Just be your elf" and "You shine so bright") on student restroom mirrors.
A jolly drink and treat trolley for teachers
Surprise Grinch cups for teachers
Frances E. Norton Elementary PTA in Allen, Texas used rubber bands to secure green tissue paper to green cups filled with Grinch Hershey kisses, mini candy canes, and a special gift (festive leather earrings, Stanley straw toppers and holiday socks). Each cup was then topped with a red heart sticker. (Shop this idea on Amazon: green tissue paper, green cups, and red heart stickers.)
Winter break buddies
West Jefferson Parent Teacher Organization sent each student home with a stuffed "buddy" and a bingo sheet of challenges to keep them engaged and learning over winter break. Parents are encouraged to share photos of their kids (and their stuffed buddies) over winter break!
A very merry front entrance
We're always blown away by the front entrances at Horizon Elementary, thanks to their super creative PTO! Take a look behind the scenes of their festive holiday set up on their PTO's Facebook page.
School Holiday Shop
Grab our very best holiday shop planning tips, tools (like a timeline) and Canva templates in our free guide. If you're going the DIY route, check out 21 Cute Holiday Shop Ideas Your Group Can Totally Pull Off.
Hot cocoa bar for teachers
You'll need hot cocoa packets, whipped cream, cups and holiday cookies, of course!
@ehe_pto Cocoa Bar to keep the teachers Warm #cocoabar #hotchocolate #parentteacherorganization #ptomomsunite ♬ It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year - The Xmas Specials
Invite the Grinch to drop by your school for a few shenanigans
The Grinch, of course, was VOLUN-told to be here. Anything to bring a little joy to the school, right?!
Hide elves all over the school for teachers to find
Props to Nelson PTA for giving their teachers this festive midday break!
@nelsonpta #teachers #staff #christmas #elves #elfontheshelf #elementryschool #pta #happyholidays #spreadthejoy #hideandseek #polarexpress ♬ Elf - Main Theme - Geek Music
School spiritwear for your Elf of a Shelf (yes really)
You know you're a PTO leader when you come up with the brilliant idea to sell school spirit wear for elves...
@ptotoday Only a PTO volunteer would come up with this. Well done 👏 #ptolife #ptomom #elfontheshelf #spiritwear ♬ Auld Lang Syne - Dick Walter
Jingle Bell Run
Get our very best fun run tips, Canva templates and more to help your group plan the ultimate fun run.
@ptotoday These Jingle Bell Run decorations are 🔥 Nice work by 📸 @sw_pto #ptomomsoftiktok #ptopresident #ptapresident #ptolife #schoolfunrun ♬ original sound - PTOToday ✨ School Family Media
That's a Wrap!
Set up complimentary rolls of wrapping paper, bows, and tape before sending teachers off on holiday break. Get the free sign in our year’s worth of appreciation mega bundle!
Be inclusive!
Tyler (PTO President) shares some great ideas on making your school's holiday festivities inclusive.
@tylerrakay Replying to @centennialsb Hope this helps! We had to cancel our breakfast with Santa Event, not because of Christmas BUT that's a different video 😆 These are my ideas for next year Hope they help your school too! #ptomoms #schooldecorating #schoolholidays ♬ Elf - Main Theme - Geek Music
Make a giant nutcracker out of Home Depot buckets
If you haven't caught wind of this viral TikTok trend yet, it's not too late to snag some buckets!
@k.questlove Come make a life size Nutcracker Christmas decoration with me #diy ♬ Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, Op. 71, TH.14 / Act 1 - No. 2 March - Mariinsky Orchestra & Valery Gergiev
Cocoa, Cookies and Canvas Paint Night
Invite students to make holiday cards to deliver to nursing homes and soldiers stationed overseas
