Deck the Halls 2022

Special Edition

Greetings from Deck the Halls!

Deck the Halls succeeds because the people of St. Andrew’s work for its success. What we do for Deck the Halls is part of our witness, and the world around us sees and hears our work. The fellowship we experience in working together, and the strength we gain from committing our work to Mission and Outreach make Deck the Halls successful before we take in the first dollar.

It’s true that the big morning-after question is “How did we do?” The most effective way to bigger success this year is growing the number of visitors to our event. We’re putting more attention on inviting more and more people. We’re doing that through social media, yard signs, notices in community newsletters, posters and flyers in businesses, and through the networks that surround our parishioners.

Spread the word around your network! Pick up some flyers to post at your work place, your gym. Take a few postcards to give to the families next door. Share our Deck the Halls Facebook Event on social media or post photos from our photobooth. Talk it up!

St. Andrew’s will be a great place to be on December 3; let’s bring Greensboro in for a visit.

Virginia Haskett, Chair

Deck the Halls Committee

Setting the Scene for Deck the Halls

Yard signs are best in locations that see plenty of traffic. Signs advertising Deck the Halls will be distributed November 13 after worship. If would like to display a sign, please contact Susan Brannan (336-207-8171). Signs are returned after the event to be used again.

St. Andrew’s will display the large banner signs on the front lawn, and the photospot will return in mid November. Watch for those reindeer and the welcoming door, take a couple of selfies, and post them on Facebook with a Deck the Halls tag. That’s more of your personal contribution to publicity, and it is fun.

If you live in a neighborhood or belong to an organization that prepares a virtual or traditional newsletter, please check that our publicity will be sent to the editor. You can contact Virginia Haskett.

Carolyn Hackett, who is our most experienced “asker,” has noted that some businesses learn about Deck the Halls when someone asks for their support in a gift card or donation to the Giving Tree. Not only are businesses willing to post our flyer, but employees there take an interest in what they learn about St. Andrew’s and Deck the Halls to the extent of visiting and shopping with us. Reaching out to more businesses is the way to go. Contact Carolyn for all the handouts you need for an ask.

Shopping on December 3

The Wine Pull has always been popular, so it’s a great place to invest some of your good will toward helping Deck the Halls. Donations of bottles, minimum retail price $15, can be made with the “necker” or left anonymously in one of the collection boxes by the office door. A larger than ever collection of bottles will match the larger than ever number of visitors we hope to draw. Contact Marcia Moore if you have questions (336-202-6516).

What would a church fundraiser be without a bake sale? A bake sale may be the ultimate in tradition, but Nancy Rizzuto (336-273-4537) has composed a nontraditional communication to ask you to participate in Mrs. Claus’s Sweets and Treats. Just read this!

Please help make our Deck the Halls

Tasty and fun within our walls

Now, baked treasures, don’t you know,

Are very popular and bring in the “dough”

Maybe you have favorite foods to make

Cookies, cakes, pies, candy, jams or jellies, even bread for goodness sake!

Ingredients must be on your labels

Before we put your treasures on the tables.

Decorate the treasures to attract and sell

So they will go fast—without fail

Your baking skills will surely delight

And help take our sales to a sweet height

So put your hands and your heart

Into creativity to contribute and take part

Please bring your treasures to the parish hall

I’ll be happy to take them one and all

Please contact me at 336-273-4537

Your calls help me feel like I’m in heaven

Now you can be sure our Deck the Halls

Certainly beats going to the malls!

Jewels and Jingles is another tradition, presenting gently-used (and skillfully refurbished) ladies’ accessories. It is truly fun to yield to temptation when an attractive bargain shows up. Contact Betty Atwell if you have questions about this area.

Completing the trio of traditional “church bazaar” presentations is Presents Under the Tree. This area should be loaded, the look of the table should be one of abundance. More one of a kind creations are still needed to round out the many choices available to shoppers who appreciate handmades. Jean Phelps (336-312-2789) will gladly answer questions.

Another area that quickly became a tradition at Deck the Halls is the gift baskets. More than fifty boutique baskets on display are an eye full. Hard to believe they were designed and assembled right in St. Andrew’s basement to appear, razzle-dazzle, in the Parish Hall. Prices range from $14 to $45 and the variety is amazing.

St. Andrew’s is blessed with a number of skilled artisans in our midst. Mack Baker’s work with wood has been admired for years. Dennis Pollard’s eye for nature produces stunning photographs, a recent addition to our Deck the Halls offerings. Marion Seaman’s description of her work suggests what unique pieces visitors can find: “a variety of fused glass, stained glass and mosaic glass items. There are items for utility… and items for artistic enjoyment. The 2022 Christmas ornament collection is all animals.” She also hints at what could be discovered in Mack’s or Dennis’s work as well as hers: “Shop for yourself, friends, family, and so you can share the joy when you Deck the Halls!”

Pre-Order Online by November 26

Several “finds” are available only by ordering before November 26. These are customized orders, and you’re invited to visit the on-line shop to make your selection. Other products, that is, honor cards and frozen quarts of chili, are available both through the on-line shop and at the event on December 3. For any of these offerings, please use the red button below to jump to our online store.

Shop Deck the Halls Online

Beyond Shopping

Every purchase, on-line or at Deck the Halls, gives twice, because all proceeds are dedicated to Mission and Outreach, and go directly to helping those in need in the Greensboro area. Shoppers at Deck the Halls are also able to give something to themselves, some relaxation, some creativity, some social fun. There will be live holiday piano music in the early afternoon, a trivia contest in the last hour, door prizes, and some round tables for sitting and sipping and snacking and visiting

Andy’s Kitchen is both the place to look for morning snacks, lunch, and afternoon tea, and the place to sit and chat. There will be hot and cold beverages appropriate for the season, scones and tea sandwiches at snack times; for lunch a variety of sandwiches or a bowl of chili; and throughout the day, an array of bar cookies.

There are two spaces in the church on December 3 where nothing is for sale. The nativity scenes in the chapel respond to our visitors’ desire for a connection to the Christmas story. If you have a nativity display to share, please let Corinth Milikin know.

The sanctuary will be open for prayer and meditation for anyone seeking a few minutes of peace or an uninterrupted time to open their heart before the busyness of the season.

Deck the Halls Contacts

Here, in one place, is the list of who to contact for what:

Yard Signs

Susan Brannan, 336-207-8171

Gift Cards for the Giving Tree

Carolyn Hackett

Wine for the Wine Pull

Marcia Moore, 336-202-6516

Presents Under the Tree

Jean Phelps, 336-312-2789

Mrs. Claus’s Sweets and Treats

Nancy Rizzuto, 336-273-4537

Jewels and Jingles

Betty Atwell

Nativities Display

Corinth Milikin

Anything not covered above...

Virginia Haskett

Key Dates and Times

November 13: Pick up yard signs after church.

Now: Spread the word about Deck the Halls

Now: Contact team members about items to donate

Now through November 26: Shop online for wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread houses, designer Christmas cookies, family friendly chili, and Honor cards.

December 3: Well.... come Deck the Halls, of course! As a volunteer or patron, we look forward to seeing you Dec. 3, 10am-3pm.

10am-12pm Kids Make & Take a Gift

12:30 pm Gingerbread House Decorating (Pre-order kit online.)

1:30 pm Live Holiday Music

2:15 pm Holiday Trivia Contest with Prizes

All Day: Sanctuary open for prayer and meditation

All Day: Chapel open with nativities display

Visit St. Andrew's Website

Give to St. Andrew's

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

standrewsgso.org parish@standrewsgso.org 336-275-1651