The last piece of Halloween candy has yet to to eaten, but bookstore/spirit shop manager Mrs. Sarah Rogozinski says she and her staff are already gearing up for Christmas, ordering items and preparing to stock them.

She has been busy this fall ordering new Cathedral Christmas items and apparel, with two new Cathedral Christmas ornaments on the way as well. She says that she and her staff try to start getting items in as early as October so they can be ready to go when December rolls around.

The spirit shop will host its annual Christmas Open House on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to noon to provide an opportunity for parents, grandparents and alumni to come do some holiday shopping and enjoy Cathedral Christmas cheer.

The spirit shop also will be open during the annual alumni-sponsored Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 16 from 9 to 11 a.m. and offer additional extended shopping opportunities throughout December.

“Christmas is always one of the busiest times of the year,” Rogozinski said, who also mentioned back to school as a hectic period for her and her staff. Stock always sells out fast during the holiday season, so she and her employees and volunteers are trying to get everything stocked up in the back. Then, they’ll have lots of apparel and other items ready to go when stock is running low. “It’s a good idea to shop early,” she said.

The bookstore is located in the cafeteria in Kelly Hall and is open on regular school days from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.