If you’d like to give it a go yourself, we have the ornaments, flowers, wreath, & ribbons on our site:

All you need to add is the hot glue, hard work, and creativity!  Or, you could call Dori.  I think I’d call Dori.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

P.S. Would you like to share a gourmet goody basket with your sweetie for Valentines?  The Inn at Christmas Place will have 2 baskets available for cash & carry after February 7th.  Here’s a picture of the larger basket:

The baskets will be filled with a variety of chocolates and treats, such as red raspberry hearts, chocolate covered pretzels, cheese straws, shortbread, heart-shaped truffles, and more, packaged in a red basket and tied up with beautiful Valentines bows.  Small – $40.00; large (pictured) – $60.00.  Just stop at the front desk of the hotel to pick up your basket – and remember to add a card .. and remember to sign the card ..

(We use nut-free products in our baskets.)

Here’s another example of this pattern, in a simple tote bag.

Rosie Posies shades of red, in Eloise and a couple of accessory pieces.

My personal favorite and a very classy pattern, Camellia, in the new Abby bag.

And a bright and colorful choice appropriately called “Island Blooms,” in the newest Bowler bag.

We have a great selection of all the current fabrics and bag styles, so come visit The Boutique and check them out!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

It’s the invasion of the bunnies!  Department 56 released an adorable collection of bunnies this year, similar to those cute Snowpinions snowmen.  We have Dottie bunnies in small, medium, & large, each sporting a pink-and-brown polka dot grosgrain collar or skirt.  Notice that Dottie has either blue or brown eyes – we have some of both.  Large Dottie is the perfect size to be the centerpiece for your holiday decorations.

There’s also a darling little Dottie bunny basket, perfect for filling with petite chocolate eggs & Easter treats!

In the middle of the picture above you can see the small Dotties wrapped up in plastic like the delicious little goodies they are!

Of course, there’s also a collection of limited-edition Snowbunnies collectibles for the season, like this pink-cheeked charmer, “Sheepish.”

Who could say “no” to that face??  Check out the Double Bunny Hop, too – love those rainbow colors.

Did you also notice the colorful silk flowers, Easter baskets, and decorations we have available for a limited time?  These are in-store purchase only right now, but you can place an order with our customer service team at 1-800-445-3396, extension 2.

These peonies went home with me shortly after this picture was taken!

Also, take a look at these hanging flower vases in the tree – two sizes, and they could hang just about anywhere, thanks to their long attaching loops.  We’ve filled them with silks, of course, but the sturdy glass sleeve inside holds water for live blooms.  I found the small vase in our on-line store, so click on the photo – it’s on sale for only $2.97.

So join us in thinking SPRING already!  The sun has come out after a few rainy days, and we’re planning a fabulous weekend, whatever the temperature may be.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

P.S. Up next – spring colors from Vera Bradley, too!

We didn’t get a picture of her, but here’s a celebratory candle in her honor.

Happy Birthday, Ms. Bill!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Several months ago, Santa spent a day in Nashville, taping his segment for the show, and we’ve been waiting anxiously for the air date.  Christmas Place is happy to bring The Singing Santa to all our guests in the store and at the hotel, and now to your television!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

This morning before opening:

What a big change in scenery!  (That’s our after-Christmas sale tent taking up the courtyard right now – the sale continues only thr0ugh Sunday.)

It’s a beautiful day in Pigeon Forge, and we’re going to have a beautiful weekend, so come and see us.  And, if you happen to live in the area and are at home between 4 and 5 pm this afternoon, tune it to WBIR TV 10 for Live at 5 at 4 – they filmed a little story with us this week.  We’re all looking forward to seeing it today.

Happy New Year – and we wish all our readers and customers and families many, many blessings in 2012!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Brilliant move – turn an ugly garden sweater into a Christmas prize with the right turtleneck and a jaunty Christmas tree hat.

This gold-and-green wonder was actually the prize winner of the night!

As you’ll see, more than a few men were willing to appear in a wife’s-mother’s-mother-in-law’s ugly sweater.  Points for the poinsettia embellishment!

Poor girl, confused ugly sweater night with crazy pants night!  That’s not til February, dear.

A sweater pattern composed of various doors, including an elevator door?  GENIUS!  I’m not sure what makes this ugly.  (Kidding!  I’m kidding!)

I hope Grandma doesn’t catch me in this!

Chess Club or Cheerleaders?  You decide.

A two-part entry: notice the dove on her shoulder.

And notice the dove poop on her back.  Bold move.

Own it, baby!

I’m not sure this is a first for these guys .. just sayin’.

 Snaps for coordinating the mock turtleneck with Mom’s 3/4 sleeve sweater!

 Mad glue-gun skills with the red garland – so evenly placed!

Extremely Honorable Mention: This playa’ added photos of the Ice Bears team to her adornments!  How was she not the winner?! 

Aaaaawwwwwww!

We’re going bowling after ice hockey!

Yes, there are still more to come….how about this hand-painted creation:

She even brought the gingerbread man!

Just off the plane from Aspen.

Dontcha think they should have swapped sweaters?

My personal favorite – look at that arts-and-crafts touch with the braided necktie.  A truly original touch!

So, no judgement, but that’s a whole lotta ugly!  Everyone had a lot of fun – and I’m sure I didn’t even get pictures of all the contestants.  I heard there was also a hockey match that night .. and the Ice Bears won!  Congrats to the team!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

I almost made it around the corner - just as Santa was disappearing into his house after chiming the hour.

Even a drain pipe can be beautiful at Christmas!

And I leave you with a photo of my favorite spot – the bench by the pond.  Even though we are right on the parkway, this spot manages to be serene and quiet and restful, always.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Dear Santa,
We would like to have Jaelin, Parker and Lexi be on the “GOOD” list.  If you do visit us, can you please bring us the following items.
For Jaelin, “(a series of unintelligible hash marks, with maybe a Z, D, J, and W)”
For Parker - ”I am thinking.”
For Lexi: – “Beanie Boos, Monster High, pengeuin iglube (sic).”

Dear Santa,
Our names are James, David, Allen, & Kaleb (names changed).  We are brothers in foster care & we are so excited to have a visit from Santa for the first time!  I hope to see your reindeer and feed them carrots!  My mom says you will know where we live now and won’t forget us.  You can bring us anything you want to!  We just love toys because we never had any new ones!

Dear Santa:
I want a batman with a big house.  Everything you have.
I love you,
Blake

Dear Santa,
I’d love some locks and keys for Christmas.  I love you!
Bladen

Dear Santa,
How are you.  I have been sick.  I just go from one thing to another different (thing).  People have been praying for me.  Do you think you can find me where I live?  I live near Bardstown, the next little town over.
By by,
Latisha

Santa has mailed and e-mailed (hey, he’s a 21st century dude!) all his letters back to the kids – all those that will arrive in time for Christmas – thanking them for their thoughts and good wishes and love.  As always, Santa reminds us to remember the reason for the season, and to keep saying “Ho Ho Ho!”

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Do you see the chimney smoke rising on the other side of the valley?

It looked as if a painter had lightly stroked the scene with a brushed dipped in white.  What a beautiful start to the day!

(No, you’re not seeing a UFO in the last photo.  The grayish teardrop shape is not an alien craft hurtling over the range .. it is actually a drop of pine tar on my windshield.  I parked under the trees at my parents’ house on a hot summer day – and this was my reward.  It won’t come off for anything.  Well, except maybe a bottle of pine tar remover.  Which I should use on my hood, really.  And thank you for not mentioning the leaves on the lawn which should have been mulched already.)

Have a wonderful week – it’s finally Christmas week!  I hope we don’t get so busy that we fail to take time out to be thankful for the blessings we enjoy every day and for those to come.

Be blessed, my friends.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place