Shop of Wonders helps clients afford Christmas

By Lethbridge Herald on November 22, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

MyCityCare’s Shop of Wonders is ready to welcome parents in the community to “shop” for their children’s Christmas presents and they are asking for donations. 

Tanya Lister, program co-ordinator, said this is their first year in their location and they were really excited to set up their Shop of Wonders. 

“This year we have a big goal in mind and are expecting to help around 1,600 children. Our program is the same as before, parents register on our website and then they come here to shop for their kids,” said Lister. 

She said parents will get an appointment for their shopping experience, they are greeted by a group of elves that will walk them through the whole process and they get to walk around and choose some gifts for their children. 

“At the Shop of Wonders we offer a dignified shopping experience for the parents. We want to give back that to them so they can choose a gift for their child and be able to say that they got it for them,” said Lister. 

She said the experience include gift wrapping of presents as well, to make it a full holiday experience. 

“We are looking for toy donations, and financial donations as those help us go out and shop for things we need and we are also looking for volunteers to help manage appointments and to wrap presents,” said Lister. 

Since they are just getting started, she said the need is across the board for items for children of all ages. 

“Our teens and tweens are always the hardest to shop for, I will say that the age from 10 or 11-year-old to 17-year-old kids. I usually say to adults to think about what they would like to see under their tree and that usually translates really good for their age,” said Lister. 

She said they usually look for things like electronics, earbuds, decoration items like twinkle lights and candles, or clothing items like beanies. 

“We also see Lego go well in that category, like those Lego flowers or Lego Formula 1 cars. Candy is also great for stocking stuffers, I don’t think any teenager will be sad to find candy in their stockings,” said Lister. 

She said when parents stop by to shop, they try to help them figure out what to get their children by asking questions about their likes and their hobbies or other things. 

“We try to help them find something for their children in our shelves and that is why is very important to have our shelves stocked and that’s where we count on the community for help to keep them that way,” said Lister. 

She said they are very happy to be able to continue to be part of the Christmas Hope Campaign and work together with the other agencies to help families have a joyful holiday season. 

Toy donations can be done at the Shop of Wonders located at 1401 28 Street North, or at the various donation locations posted on their social media. 

For more information, to donate or to register for the program visit https://mycitycare.ca/