Janine Cox says goodbye to Jesse Cox, 6, at the entrance of the annual Children's Holiday Shop in the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. Only children and elves, student volunteers, were allowed past the entrance. The elves helped children ages 3 to 12 with their holiday shopping for friends and family on Saturday.

Woodlawn School sixth-grader Jasmine Miller, 11, darted from table to table Saturday morning, peeking at potential Christmas gifts for her entire family.

Jasmine was dodging elves and other shoppers during the first couple of hours of the annual Children’s Holiday Shop in the basement of the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

She clutched a set of candles and was looking to spend the rest of her money.

“I don’t know how to explain it, but I know what they like,” Jasmine said.

The 13th annual charitable event organized by the arts center allows hundreds of underprivileged children to purchase holiday gifts for family members.

Capitol Federal Savings sponsors $10,000 worth of Holiday Dollars that children can use.

“With their help, we’ve been able to increase the quality of gifts,” said Andrea Moen, an arts center administrative assistant.

About one-third to one-half of the children shoppers use real money.

Organizers buy between 7,000 and 9,000 items throughout the year to sell during the two days of shopping.

And volunteers distribute $10 worth of Holiday Dollars to children through Lawrence public schools and social service agencies to help underprivileged children shop.

Stephanie Brown, right, helps Maria Copp, 4, center, and Maleah Zumaly, 3, pick out Christmas gifts Saturday at the annual Children's Holiday Shop in the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. Brown was an student volunteer elf who helped children ages 3 through 12 with their holiday shopping for friends and family.

Saturday’s event was open to the public while arts center preschool students and members shopped Friday evening.

A long line snaked outside the arts center down New Hampshire Street on Saturday morning as children waited with their parents and grandparents to get a chance to shop.

Once they enter the Ice Castle, a volunteer elf takes the children, between ages 3 and 12, down a flight of stairs to the shop. Once the children spend their money or Holiday Dollars, a busy room of elves help wrap the gifts.

“We’ve doubled our Holiday Dollars, giving more underprivileged and disadvantaged kids a chance to come and get things for their families at no charge,” said Noelle Uhler, the art center’s director of development. “It’s an empowering experience about building confidence.”

After the wrapping paper and tape had settled Saturday afternoon, the event was one of the most successful ever, Uhler said. More children used the distributed Holiday Dollars than before, and the shops were sold out.

The more than 120 elves and volunteers included Girl Scouts, high school and college students, and adults.

“I don’t have any kids, and I love this because the kids make Christmas,” said Susan Madl, a Lawrence volunteer, who sold items Saturday morning.