MT EDEN PRIMARY FUNDRAISER MOVES 400 ROLLS OF WRAPPING PAPER NOBODY ASKED FOR
The PTA calls it a record year. The garages of Mt Eden tell a different story.
Mt Eden Primary School's annual wrapping paper fundraiser has shifted 400 rolls of premium gift wrap to families who, by their own admission, will not be wrapping 400 gifts between now and the heat death of the sun.
The scheme, run by the PTA out of the school hall on Valley Road, requires each child to flog a minimum of two rolls to extended family. Rolls are $14 each. Patterns include "Festive Reindeer", "Botanical Eucalyptus", and one described in the catalogue as "Modern Geometric" which a parent told The Daily Yarn looked like "a migraine in mint green".
Fiona Whitcombe-Searle, 41, of Mt Eden, said she had bought six rolls under duress. "My mother-in-law bought four. My sister bought two. We are a family of three. We exchange gifts twice a year. I have done the maths and I will be wrapping presents in Botanical Eucalyptus until 2038."
The PTA treasurer confirmed the fundraiser had cleared $3,200 toward a new shade sail, and described the result as "a triumph of community spirit". Asked whether anyone had requested wrapping paper, she said that was "not the relevant metric".
A neighbour two doors down from Mrs Whitcombe-Searle reported seeing three unopened rolls in her recycling bin on Tuesday. Mrs Whitcombe-Searle denied this, then conceded one roll had been "redirected" because the pattern was "frankly hostile".
The PTA has confirmed next term's fundraiser will be scented candles. Garages across the suburb are bracing.
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Reader Letters
Margaret_F
Back in my day, fundraisers were a cake stall or a sausage sizzle. None of this convoluted wrapping paper nonsense. Kids need a shade sail and we're stuck with rolls of a 'Modern Geometric' nightmare.
couchgremlin
You're not wrong, Margaret. Sausage sizzle was king. Plus, how many shades sails do we actually need?
Trev_Hornby
Lol. At this rate we'll be wrapping birthday gifts with the same roll 'til retirement.
wayne1987
Oh, the scented candle scheme is next, you say? Might as well just burn the wrapping paper for ambiance and save yourself the hassle. Who comes up with these fundraisers, honestly?
Garry (Halswell)
Look, I know Fiona from the bowls club. She's a good sort. But if she thinks this wrapping paper is hostile, wait 'til she sees the candles!
tired_in_riccarton
Honestly, does every school use the same playbook? We did endless chocolate rounds last year. Now my pantry looks like a Cadbury's outlet. At least wrapping paper doesn't melt.