In case you’ve been living under a rock and somehow missed allllllll the buzz about The Gift Goes On, our annual purchasing-with-a-purpose event, let me give you the scoop PLUS a few insider tips on how to make the most out of the event.
The Gift Goes On (TGGO) is in its ninth year, and is an extravagant event featuring food trucks, local vendors, silent auction, and a raffle, all to benefit the Karis Adoption Fund – a fund to offset the financial costs of adoption. We are their largest fundraising event each year. In 2017 alone, $75,000 was raised in one evening helping turn orphans into sons and daughters! We plan, prepare and have the best time providing this FUN, FANTASTIC opportunity for shoppers to shop for a cause and for vendors to sell their beautiful goods in a way that impacts lives forever. So listen up and I’ll walk you through the event, with tips on how to have an even better experience! The Gift Goes On will take place on Tuesday, November 13 from 6-9 pm at The Cube.
SHOP EARLY
For the first time this year, we are providing a limited number of VIP tickets for early entry into the event. You can purchase a ticket HERE for $20 and shop an hour early in a less-crowded environment. This is perfect for those who need more than three hours to shop (me!), moms pushing a stroller, people wanting to avoid the crowd, or anyone with evening plans who need to shop early. Get your VIP ticket before they sell out! (Every dollar to get in the door goes straight to Karis!)
COME HUNGRY
Don’t worry about eating dinner before you come, you can eat here! We will have four food trucks in the parking lot, where you can stop before you head inside. The variety of food includes: Red Bird Coffee & Waffles, Flying Pig BBQ, Blue J’s Burgers and Hall’s Pizza. Our food trucks also give a portion of their sales to Karis, so you can fill your belly for a great cause!
MAKE YOUR LIST
The best way to shop, whether at the grocery store or at The Gift Goes On, is to make your list beforehand. By looking at the event’s website, facebook, and InstaGram (@thegiftgoeson) pages you can see a complete list of our vendors and what they have to offer. As you brainstorm the list of people you want to buy great Christmas gifts for, here are some to consider: immediate & extended family, teachers, small group & book club friends, neighbors, the mailman, hairstylist, co-workers, babysitters...and yourself! Each of our vendors give at least 20% to Karis, while the Food To Go and Personalized Ornament booths give 100%!
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
As you think of gift ideas for everyone on your list, think also of purchases you may be planning to make in the next few months that you could make at TGGO, blessing Karis and marking something off of your to-do list, it's a win-win! Some “out of the box” ideas to consider: bid on vacations, experiences, video games or a Ninja coffee bar in the auction. Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win Thunder tickets or a grill! (See the website for a list of more auction items so you can set your bidding budget!)
At The Gift Goes On you will find: books, Bibles and journals, men and women’s grooming products, candles, home decor, clothing for infants to adults, personalized items (signs, mugs, paper goods, ornaments), textiles, leather goods, pet treats, safe cleaning products, gorgeous artwork, jewelry, Christmas stockings, board games, food, and ornaments. As you can see, we truly have something for everyone! Let’s work together to make our lists, check them twice, and use our buying power to help families grow through adoption.
SPREAD THE WORD
Can we count on you to invite at least one person to join you? Please share our posts on social media and tell the people in your circles about The Gift Goes On – it’s an event for anyone, with something for everyone.
Can we also count on you to pray? Here are some specific ways you can lift up TGGO: the health of our planning team and vendors, good weather on November 12 & 13, for each of our vendors to have a profitable evening that blesses both them and the Karis Adoption Fund, and mostly for God to be glorified through it all. Make your list and check it twice!
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, homeschooling their three children, traveling the world, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for two decades and she is thrilled to be part of the Women's Ministry team, helping women connect with each other and grow in their walk with Jesus!