It’s 12:05 p.m. Tucked around the corner of Judd Hallway, the annual Holiday Bazaar has begun. C116 is filled with steaming hot chocolate mugs, homemade crafts and 3D-printed art scattered along tables set up throughout the room. 

For roughly a dozen high school clubs, this is an opportunity to raise money by selling items to the Lab community, with the added benefit of being a creative activity club members can participate in. 

Allison Beaulieu, a lower school art teacher, believes the Holiday Bazaar gives students a chance to showcase their work.

“I think that it’s something that families are always asking for,” Ms. Beaulieu said.

Various clubs and school organizations from HLab to Robotics participated in the event, selling a wide range of creative items, including hot chocolate with an assortment of toppings, freshly baked cookies, 3D-printed fidgets and stuffed toys. The high attendance was likely due to the enjoyable experience and fundraising benefits.

“It’s an easy way to make money for your club,” Ms. Beaulieu said.

Lucia Dumitrescu, a student leader on the robotics team, shared this sentiment, explaining that her team relies heavily on donations and requires money to fund travel and resources. During the Holiday Bazaar, Robotics sold 3D-printed fidget toys.

“We were thinking, fidgets are very popular nowadays, so that would be something applicable to all ages,” Lucia said.

These fidget toys were not the only items robotics team members sold. They also brought food to ensure more browsing visitors would purchase something.

A significant portion of the attending clubs sold baked treats or drinks. HLab, the high school library advisory board, sold hot chocolate from a station with marshmallows, whipped cream and other toppings. 

Spanish Conversations club sold food to support its charitable project.

“We’re raising money to teach refugees science lessons after school,” Bayaan El-Bawab said. “We baked mini churros and Mexicana hot chocolate cookies.”

While many clubs focused on selling food or drinks, other clubs handcrafted items. Students with Disabilities Association members created felt ornaments and hand warmers, and students found that, though it was a time-consuming process, the result was very rewarding.