As the holiday season approaches, many people delight in buying presents for loved ones, but on the other hand, respond to the thought of wrapping these gifts with frowns. For students who lack skills in the art of gift wrapping, or for those who cannot afford to take time out of their busy schedules, Carlsbad High’s Band and Orchestra wrap presents at the Westfield Plaza Camino Real Mall and the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall, respectively. These music programs utilize their expertise in the field to add a special touch to your presents.
“Gift wrapping for Band is in the Westfield Plaza Camino Real Mall in front of JC Penny on the second floor. It’s every day until about nine when the mall closes,” band director Mr. Bovie said. “People should come, because all proceeds go to CHS Band, including Jazz Band, Drum Line, Color Guard and Concert Band.”
Orchestra Director Miss Hall adds that students should also stop by the outlet mall, as Orchestra offers a just as enticing gift wrapping service there, too. Of the many advantages, CHS music boasts that if your gift is wrapped at the mall, there is no chance of anyone catching a sneak peek.
“CHS Orchestra’s gift wrapping is at the Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall near Santa on [December] 15th, 16th and 19th to the 24th,” Hall said. “We have a large variety of materials to spruce your presents up.”
Band and Orchestra do not object to haggling over prices. They appreciate those who stop by and place their customers’ happiness first.
“If you need anything gift wrapped, we will negotiate the prices with you,” Bovie said. “Let’s say you have ten boxes, we’ll probably give you a deal.”
This year, the music programs have yet to meet their monetary goals. With Band $10,000 behind in funds and Orchestra $3,000, this holiday fundraiser will hopefully bring in the needed cash to reach their objectives.
“We are behind quite a bit. Band needs $10,000, but the more the better,” Bovie said. “[Gift wrapping] is our biggest fundraiser. See’s Candy sales are coming up [and] in the spring, we will hold a mattress fundraiser where we sell discounted mattresses.”
Junior Jonathon Paleo, a Band student who participates in this fundraiser, enjoys the opportunity to put his creativity to use, as well as the time to bond with friends.
“This fundraiser for Band raises money to buy new instruments and [to pay for] a trip [to either Six Flags or Disneyland]. I like being able to hang out with my friends and being creative,” Paleo said. “[The most interesting gift I wrapped was] a huge microwave oven.”
A win-win situation, this gift wrapping service benefits the recipient, who is freed from the chore of wrapping gifts, as well as CHS music, which raises much money from this function. Embrace the holiday spirit within yourself and take time out of your agenda to make a contribution to CHS’s Band and Orchestra.
“Help us [by coming to the gift wrapping event] to support Band. You can spend time talking to us instead of wasting time at home.” Paleo said.
