Washington YMCA's annual Children's Christmas Bazaar

WASHINGTON - Jackson Green is most excited about the watch he picked out for his mother at the Washington YMCA's annual Children's Christmas Bazaar this past Saturday.

'This was my first time doing this,” he said as he waited for the presents he chose for family members to be wrapped.

Green was one of about 80 who were able to take part in the center's long-held holiday tradition.

The event, which invites community children to come by and pick presents for adults in their lives, was originally scheduled for Dec. 5 and was at risk of being canceled completely.

Event organizer Angela Goodwin said the center felt strongly about finding a way to make it happen while keeping kids and families safe.

'It's been going on forever, since the ‘50s. It's a big tradition here in town,” Goodwin said.

The facility was able to reschedule the event for this past Saturday, requiring preregistration, limiting spots to five children every half-hour, asking families to wear masks and extending the event several hours longer than it usually lasts.

'We were trying very hard to be adaptable and flexible and kind of think outside-the-box to think about how we could do this event,” she said.

Goodwin added the event would not be possible without the assistance of the many volunteer elves.

Reaghan Aggson, a first-time elf, said she enjoyed helping kids think about what to get family members.

'It's been really fun. They're all really cute,” she said.

Aggson added the gifts children choose are often thoughtful.

'There was one girl who chose a stress ball for her mom and I asked, ‘Is your mom stressed right now,' and she just started nodding her head. That was funny,” Aggson added.

For many, the community event is a family tradition. Eighteen-month-old Steven James Edwards excitedly pointed to items as he picked out gifts with the help of his grandmother Sandy Edwards.

Sandy said her own children, who are in their 20s and 30s, also took part in the bazaar as children.

'When I heard that they had it again, I was like, ‘I bet he'd like it.' It's like a family tradition for me, so I try to do it,” she said.

The grandmother added the family plans to continue the tradition each year with Steven James and future grandchildren.

The Pickens family has been attending the bazaar every year for the last five years. Afton Pickens said she was excited for her aunt to receive the angel decoration she chose.

'She really loves angels,” Afton said about why she chose the gift.

Afton's older sister, 9-year-old Claire, similarly said she was excited for some decorations she had chosen for her grandmother.

'She likes decorating her house and making it look nice,” Claire said.

Their mother, Tera, said her daughters look forward to the event every single year and is not only a fun thing to do but teaches valuable lessons as well.

'They get to choose the gifts themselves, they get that joy of the surprise on Christmas. I also think it helps them understand that giving is always better than receiving,” she said.