During the Christmas season the store holds special shopping nights: one each for men, women and elders.

At the women's night, held two weeks before Christmas, only women were allowed in the store. Certain items such as toys were discounted.

"Everyone buys gifts and then sits on the floor and wraps them," said store manager Isaac Gullage.

But that's not all. On women's night, there was a makeshift karaoke set up. Women sing Christmas carols a cappella over the P.A. system. In return, the store knocks off the GST.

"They pick up the mike and sing Jingle Bells, " said Gullage. "Some of them even sing the Barney song."

"It's just a fun gimmick and they save seven per cent."

Some people are shy, and prefer to sing in groups, he added.

The store held its elders night after pensions came out.

"We ask them to throw rings around a bottle and have a bubble-blowing contest," he said.

The gimmick seems to be working. "We draw big crowds on those nights."

Overall, Christmas sales are up 10 per cent over last year's sales.

"There seems to be more money in the community," said Gullage.

Construction projects in the community this year gave the economy a boost, he explained. "A lot more local people are employed."

However, the Christmas shopping season began later this year. "There was very little Christmas business until the sixth of December," said Gullage.

But after that, Iglulik residents did some serious shopping.

"It's all based on the availability of money," said Gullage.