We are so excited to be hosting Mario Taré, the first on-staff Christmas Ornament Designer to join the Christopher Radko company, in the store from noon to 3 PM tomorrow, November 14th.  A native of Chile and a life-long artist, Mario helped to revitalize the Radko line and, in 2001,  collaborated in bringing back the vintage 1940s-themed Shiny-Brite™ collection.

If you love these colorful, nostalgic ornaments ~ such careful attention is given to the details on each piece ~ you’ll want to stop in and get the designer’s autograph on your favorite ornament.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

So, here’s my question, do JoAnn & Vickie really know absolutely every great cook in the country?  Do they?  Because how else could they continue to bring us so many delightful recipe collections?

Well, I’m just glad they do keep publishing!  This week, let’s peek into Christmas In the Country, from 2007.  “Family recipes, merry gifts from the kitchen and sweet holiday memories to celebrate the simple joys of the season.”  Breakfast, lunch, Dinner at Grandma’s, Old-Fashioned Sweets, food gift ideas, and a collection of holiday memories from authors around the country round out this delightful publication.  What will they come up with next?

How long has it been since you used your Bundt® pan?  (Does anyone remember the difficulty the mother of the bride had trying to pronounce that word in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”??)  Here’s a super easy and delicious-sounding recipe from Nichole Martelli, Alvin, Texas.

Southern Praline Pecan Cake

Ingredients
18-1/4 oz pkg butter pecan cake mix
16 oz container coconut pecan frosting
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 C oil
1 C water
1 C chopped pecans, divided

Combine all ingredients except pecans in a large bowl; mix until combined.  Stir in half the pecans.  Sprinkle remaining pecans in a lightly-greased 10″ Bundt® pan; pour batter over pecans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Serves 8 to 10.  (C = Cup)

Now, do you pronounce that pe-cahn, or pe-kan?  It might make a difference!  Also, isn’t the center of this baking pan a hole?  Well, I guess they mean to test in the middle of the cake ring.  I’m just funnin’ with y’all!

The sun finally came out today, and we’re expecting a fantastic weekend ~ hope you go out and enjoy the days!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Donald Henkel, the author of “A Legend of Santa and His Brother Fred,” is at Christmas Place today signing copies of his book.

The producers of the movie “Fred Claus” loosely based their story around Mr. Henkel’s book.  An autographed copy would make a great stocking stuffer for some lucky person, or a wonderful family heirloom to take off the shelf and read together each Christmas!  As I looked on yesterday, he told the story to our guests, glancing down just to turn the pages in time with the tale.

If you’re in town this morning, pop in to meet Mr. Henkel and pick up a really unique Christmas keepsake item for the holidays.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

I like a nostalgic look at Christmas, and these two ornaments have really captured my attention- they are molded plastic filled with snow pellets inside, and styled with an antique look.  They look great hanging on the tree.

They’re kitschy, they’re plastic, they have rhinestones and glitter, and I love them both!

Ladies, if you have been searching for the perfect bag to carry from now until December 25th that just screams “I Love Christmas!” – you need look no further – we have it here at Christmas Place.  Check this out:

This is one of the cutest things in the store – do you see that it even comes with its own cell phone mini-tote?  This is the best thing you can take with you to Thanksgiving lunch, even better than the green bean casserole with the onions on top, because all the other girls there will have mad envy of you and have to have their own, and you can bask in the limelight of their admiration at your clever shopping!  (I think we’ve sold out of these twice already, so you’d better order quickly.)

It was supposed to get sunny here this afternoon, but instead it started raining even more and the temperature has gone down.  Mr. Weatherman, you have some explaining to do!  Hope it’s a nicer fall day where you are.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

P.S. Have you thanked a veteran today??  I thanked an active duty military person, but I haven’t found a veteran yet today.  I still remember, about 20 years, having the priviledge, though I did not know it at the time, of being the first person ever to thank a particular Vietnam veteran that I know … the thought that he had to wait about 15 years for that honor still makes me sad and humble ~ and so glad that I thought to say it that day in the hallway.  I’ll never forget that moment and that honor.   Thanks again, Michael!  Don’t miss your chance to say “thank you” today!

Okay, yes, I know it’s Monday… I had the cook book picked out, and the recipe, and I took the picture on Friday … and then was completely sidetracked by Saturday’s events.  So, it’s Food for Friday on Monday.  It’ll still be tasty!

LED Lights ~ time to stock up!  Through this Friday only, buy 2 strands and get a third strand of the same lights free.  That’s a great deal for these long-lasting, economical decorations.  Check out all the colors and styles available this year.

Snowbabies “In a Spin” figurine – 50% off – what a cutie, Snowbaby in a real knit cap, spinning with a penguin pal on a snow disc.  To complement your Snowbabies ornament collection, how about a  13″ tree from Department 56 specially designed to display them to best advantage?  It’s well-priced this week at only  $6.98!

Also, be sure to check out the “Christmas in a Box” gift sets for the troops ~ we still have some available, and time to ship them out before the holidays.

So many things going on of which you can take advantage – hop over to the site and register for the Week 2 Gingerbread Giveaway – ornaments, ribbon, and stems this week! 

And don’t forget, free shipping on all orders over $100, and free gift with your online purchase, either an ornament or an angel. 

* 47 Days! *

~ Janet @ The Christmas Place

It’s the end of the year, and that means Retirement Day for Department 56 collectibles.  When a piece is retired from production, they literally break the mold so that no more pieces can ever be made exactly like the original.  This limits the collection, adds value to your favorite pieces, and gives the artists space to create new designs.

We’re updating the Christmas Place Department 56 collection right now with retirement information, and soon you’ll be able to see all the retired pieces – but once we’re sold out, these pieces will disappear from the site.

Stop by tomorrow for the signing, and you can see the retired pieces in the store as well!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

P.S.  Secondary Market sales of previously retired pieces start at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning!

We are so excited about this special offer!  Many of our service men and women will miss being with family and friends at Christmas because of their committment to military service.  Christmas Place has come up with three gift sets that each offer a mini Christmas celebration in a single box, especially for men and women serving in the armed forces, to bring the holiday to them.  

The Christmas in a Box gift sets are offered in three varieties.  Each kit starts with a mini snow Christmas tree and a jar of snow (yes, we even know how to package that up!), and then is stuffed with a variety of holiday treats.  The two larger boxes include a Santa hat, and all three have a musical CD from our very own Singing Santa.  The three basic gift sets are:

• Snowman theme, for $69.99
• Ladies theme, for $99.99
• General theme, for $99.99

The sets are packed in those nifty postal boxes, so shipping (to APO/FPO addresses and to continental U.S. addresses) is included in the price!

The staff here at Christmas Place is especially happy to create these gift sets in honor of our own family members who are serving overseas.  We send each set out with best wishes for the health, security, and safe return of all the men and women serving our country around the world, and with thanks that we are able to help them celebrate the holidays wherever they may be.

There are only a limited number of Christmas in a Box gift sets available, and time is short to send them out – so order today!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

This weekend, November 7th, we’re hosting two talented and creative artists for signings here at the store!

Barbara Lund, a designer of the classic Dickens’ Village series of collectible, lighted houses and accessories, and whose father originated the series many years ago, will be in the store from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to sign Department 56 houses.  She will be happy to sign any of the village collection pieces we offer.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Dickens’ Village collection.

Candle Shop Anniversary Edition

In addition, our annual Secondary Market sale for retired Department 56 collectibles will be taking place in the courtyard on Saturday and Sunday, November 7th and 8th.  We are expecting no fewer than six collectors in the sale, so you’ll see a nice variety of retired pieces – a great time to fill in your personal collection.  We’ll be making a donation to the Women’s Care Center in Sevierville, Tennessee, for this event.

Although some people only choose to set up their villages at Christmas, we know many of you proudly keep them on display all year round – and we’d love to have you share photographs with other collectors.  When you have time, check out forums.christmasplace.com, where you’ll find a forum on Christmas Village Displays. 

Holly Jolly Fairie

Also on Saturday, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., America’s favorite maker of Christmas fairies and elves, Mark Roberts, will be in the store for a signing of his charming collection.  In addition to figurines, Mark also offers some very whimsical purses with fairies attached, for those who go all out at Christmas time.

Fairy Prince Purse

 It’s all happening for you here at Christmas Place this Saturday & Sunday!

 ~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Have you been to the deals page yet this week?  Time is running out on this week’s specials -

• 25% off Candles and candle accessories
• Free Shipping on orders totaling $100 or more

It is also Week 1 in our Gingerbread Theme Giveaway!  To get the decorating started, this week we’re giving away 5 strands of gingerbread garland, 5 sets of gingerbread lights, a 16″ Mr & Mrs Gingerbread Claus pair, and a tree-top gingerbread bow.  Remember, you can enter once a day.

More deals headed your way!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place