FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The streets of downtown Fairhope are bustling with cheerful shoppers. The carols are being piped in and store clerks are smiling while frantically trying to keep the shop shelves full of the best gifts. The holiday season is here and the local children’s shops know how to make shopping enjoyable for everyone with lots of sales, treats, activities and merriment!

Mikeal Donald, owner of the Pink Crocodile, a shop that specializes in children’s clothing and gifts, is kicking off the shopping season with a big sale. “Thirty percent off select merchandise and a buy-one-get-one-half-off shoe sale started on black Friday and runs through Christmas,” she said. “We also feature a huge assortment of fun Christmas dresses perfect for all of the upcoming parties.” Apparently, though, dresses aren’t for everyone this season as the ‘Santa Rocks’ T-shirts that are flying off the racks! In fact, I am almost sold out of them again,” she added.

Speaking of “the big man in red,” the shop owners on Olde Church Street will also be hosting Santa for pictures on Sunday, Dec. 14.

“We invited Mr. Claus to be with us to help remind shoppers that most of the stores downtown will be open for business in December on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.,” said Donald.

If you miss the Sunday with Santa, you can always drop your letter and wish list off to him at Page and Palette. They have Santa’s Mailbox in the kid’s section up and ready to accept your letters until Dec. 18. (Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.) In addition to your response, you will receive a copy of your wish list as confirmation that he has received your requests.

Pace McLendon, 6, who was shopping at the bookstore said, “Mommy and I made my wish list already … I don’t have to put it in the mailbox, she’ll take care of that for me.”

Pace’s big brother, Thomas Earl, 12, was scoping out a book called Doomwyte by Brian Jacques, to see if he might want to add it to his wish list. “I read Red Wall by Jacques already and really liked all of the adventure and battles. I am hoping this book might have the same kind of stuff,” said McLendon.

“We have a book for everyone here,” said store manager, Jennifer Myrick, “but are hottest items right now are the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer and of course, our classic Christmas stories, like Elf on a Shelf.

“That book is so cute,” said Anna Grace Claunch, 13, “my little sister, Beth, just loves it!”

For those readers who are unfamiliar with the story, it is a rhyme that comes complete with an elf doll that is placed on the shelf in the house right after Thanksgiving. The premise is that every night the elf flies back to the North Pole and reports to Santa about how the children are behaving in his house and when he returns, perches someplace different to observe the kids behavior. According to several moms in the store, it is “a sweet and fun way to keep kid’s pre-Christmas behavior in check.”

Page and Palette will be reading some of their wonderful Christmas classics every Tuesday at 10:30am and Thursday3:30pm in December. In addition to hearing a great story, kids who attend will receive a free mini ice cream sandwich.

Fantasy Island Toys has been putting smiles putting smiles on children’s faces for over 30 years now. Shoppers can bring kids in to look at the toys at their colorful shop downtown or fill out a gift registry from the comfort of their own home on their Web site, www.fantasyislandtoys.com.

“Our store is overflowing with toys that promote intellectual development and creativity and according to our toy experts, the kids, there is WOW in every box,” said one of the owners, Ginger Milligan.

“I love mom-and-pop toy stores like this one rather than big chain toy stores. You can find unique presents that are much more personal,” said Sharon Robertson, a grandma to four “wonderful” grandchildren, while completing her purchase at the counter.

Corey Davis, 23, home for the holidays from Auburn University, took his little sister, Elli, 10, to play at the toy store.

“I like board games and card games, like Phase 10,” said Elli. “There are a lot of fun things to look at and play with at this store,” she added.

Elli's right, there are lots of fun things to look at and do, not just at the toy store, but all over downtown Fairhope this holiday season. So rather than fighting the crowds and business of the big malls bring your kids and come play!