Holiday Shopping at Elkridge Area Elementary Schools (PHOTOS)

Entering the  meant crossing an inflatable candy-cane-striped threshold.

Inside, holiday spirit was running high, with vendors selling everything from rhubarb spread to costume capes in the gymnasium. Crafts for kids were available in the cafeteria, where student "elves" helped the little ones shop. Cheerleaders from UMBC provided entertainment in the gymnasium, and so did students.

"It's a wonderful community event," said Barry Polinsky, PTA president at .

In fact, on the welcome table at , there was a flyer for the , happening 2.5 miles due east on Montgomery Road that same night.

Jennifer Lefever, president of the Elkridge Elementary PTA, had a flyer at her entry table too. "We're being supportive of each other," said Lefever.

Vendors showed their support by choosing to set up shop at the venues, which charged for space at the Dec. 9 holiday marts.

For the Elkridge Elementary School PTA, the  is a major fundraiser, according to Lefever.

Sellers at the Elkridge Holiday Shoppe included locals like the MOMS Club of Elkridge, which had a cookbook of members' recipes for sale. A pair of  was showcasing its jewelry collection, called Twins Silver Dream, at another table. All around, Elkridgeans were displaying their crafty wares.

Elkridge Elementary students had advance access to their own kind of "shop." During their media periods last week, children could go "shopping" with money provided by their parents for items that in many cases were less than a dollar.

"We made sure every student had at least $1," said Nancy Pfeffer, recording secretary for the Elkridge PTA. Teachers helped students figure out how much they could buy with whatever amount they had.

At , there was a similar principle at work.

Designed so students could pick out gifts for their families, the Deep Run included a selection of trinkets like miniature footballs sporting Ravens, Redskins or Steelers logos and a host of other inexpensive items that the PTA buys from a company called KidSmart.

Like at Elkridge Elementary, parents of Deep Run students sent a certain amount of money to school so their kids could have the experience of shopping and making decisions about how to spend their money.

Friday was the second night of Deep Run's PTA-sponsored event, and Thursday was the big draw, according to event chair Danielle Coombs.

Next year, PTA members said they might invite outside vendors and make the holiday shop one night so it's more of an "event."

For some, Deep Run's holiday shop in its current form is spectacular as is.

There are cases in which children's parents didn't send them money for shopping. With that information and help from the school's guidance counselor, the PTA said that each year it identifies children in need and awards them "scholarships."

"It [could be] $50," said PTA member Kristin Metz-Mentz, "and for some families, those are the only Christmas presents they will buy."