TOS's Annual Children's Holiday Shopping The Tender Years Treasury

Town of Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Department to Host; The Annual Children’s Holiday Shopping Experience, The Tender Years Treasury

Smithtown, N.Y. - The Town of Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Departments will host its annual Tender Years Treasury, an independent holiday shopping experience for kids. On Saturday, December 7th, from 10AM to 1PM, children (grades K-5) can shop with a chaperone, and enjoy giving gifts to family & friends, without spoiling the surprise. Extra little shoppers may shop with parents and older siblings after 12:30PM. The Tender Years Treasury event showcases handmade gifts, all modestly priced at $5 and under. The independent kids shopping experience is held at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center. 

“This event gets better every year. Local, incredibly talented artists provide reasonably priced homemade gift items specifically for younger residents to afford, with allowance money. The kids enjoy the thrill of picking out something special for family and school friends, without ruining the surprise. In addition to the independent shopping area, the team at Smithtown Recreation & the Senior Citizens Department have set up a variety of activities such as cookie decorating, face painting, and a gift wrapping station! They put their hearts into this annual event together and it shows on the faces of everyone who attends. There’s even a relaxing waiting area for parents to kick back and enjoy some R & R while the kids shop and have fun. I love taking my grandkids to tender years. If you haven’t experienced it yet… I highly recommend you save the date and bring the little ones.” - Supervisor Ed Wehrheim 

In addition to a shopping area, entertainment includes face painting, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, balloon sculptures, and a free gift wrapping area. Additionally, guests can enter to win a homemade quilt, made by a very talented team of senior quilters. Adults can relax in a waiting area while kids independently shop for family and friends, supervised by a chaperone.  Additionally, children are encouraged to bring a letter to Santa Claus, with return address information to receive a letter from the North Pole in return. 

How it Works:

Children, grades K-5, may enter the shopping area from 10AM - 1PM, under the supervision of a chaperone (Smithtown Senior Center & Recreation Department staff or Student Volunteers) to make their own decisions on purchasing handcrafted gifts made by local artists. The gift items are all priced at five dollars and under. After 12:30PM, parents and/or older siblings will have the option of walking extra little shoppers around to shop. For more details, residents can call Smithtown Recreation at 631-360-7644.

Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center is located at 420 Middle Country Road, in Smithtown