By Dana Funai, P ’25, Carnival Arts and Crafts Parent Booth Chair
Punahou’s annual Arts and Crafts Holiday Sale, always scheduled on the first Friday of December, is the perfect place to find special, one-of-a-kind items and gifts such as holiday ornaments and décor, gift baskets, baked goods, and buff ’n blue galore. As a beacon signaling the coming of Carnival 2024, the sale also offers explorers an early opportunity to nab Carnival-themed items, including a chance to reel in jars of Punahou’s much-loved jams and jellies.
Student Chairs Caylah Lau, Ricky Tamura, Sabine Kim, and Sophia Mackey have been leading the Arts and Crafts Holiday Sale expedition alongside Parent Chairs Halida Tuerxun, Ruoyun Sun, Erik Tanaka, and me. I believe my fellow Co-Chairs would agree that being a part of the Arts and Crafts team has been a fun and rewarding experience. For me, volunteering in this capacity has also allowed me special insight into the place that my daughter often calls a “second home.” I have also become acutely aware of the phenomenal staffers and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to produce the grand experience that is Punahou Carnival … and how very important it is to contribute in any way to these collective efforts.
As for this year’s big sale, preparations began in the summer with students and parents gathering on Saturdays to create a variety of handmade treasures. These “work” sessions are always abuzz with activity, with students working on a multitude of projects. All of us parents continue to be awestruck by the creativity and talents displayed by the students. In recent weeks, they have crocheted bags and amigurumi; molded and painted decorative clay pieces; created holiday ornaments, phone charms, and barrettes; and made countless red and green pom poms that will be used to create more holiday décor.
The Arts and Crafts team is extremely grateful for the incredible community of crafters who volunteer their time and talents toward making the Holiday Sale a success. Outside of our Saturday work sessions, a small army of dedicated volunteers has devoted countless hours toward cross-stitching, sewing, embroidering, and crocheting much-coveted craft items. It is truly a labor of love that extends well beyond the seashore.
If you missed the chance to preview some of the wonderful craft items at Flaming “P”, you can still pre-order awesome personalized Buff ’n Blue keychains and holiday baskets to be picked up at the Arts and Crafts Holiday Sale. Looking forward to seeing you on December 1 at the Holiday Sale.
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Online pre-ordering link for personalized keychains, holiday baskets and holiday plants launches Friday, November 3, at noon and can be picked up at the Holiday Sale.
Carnival Arts and Crafts Holiday Sale is Friday, December 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 on the PFA Office Lānai – Sullivan Building and from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Dole Cafeteria and Courtyard.