Christmas trees! More Christmas trees! (part 2)

Enjoy some more …

Wouldn’t everyone use barbed wire on their Western Christmas tree?   (I think it’s made of leather, actually.)

Check out the pheasants in the top of the tree:

This one was one of the hardest to photograph – it is so very sparkly, from the stems added as decorations to the foil accents and multitude of light strands and lighted stems – it sparkles much more than I can show here.  Someone catch that Elf before he falls off the top hat!

Do you see the reindeer flying a plane out of the middle of the tree?  I’ll help with another photo:

Poor girl has lost a propeller blade!  I hope it’s around to be reattached.

Santa’s helping the elf jesters and getting into the decorating spirit!

I really love the swirly red & green stems!

 

Janet @ The Christmas Place

Two for Tuesday

We have some new friends in the store this year, and I think you might like to meet them…

First, well, you’ve probably already met the big guy ..

Santa & Roy

 .. but that Roy is quite the charmer!  Roy is joined by ..

Albert & Jimmy

 .. clearly Albert is none to happy about Jimmy choosing his magnificent antlers for a nap! (Elf sold separately.)

And there’s just something about Bob ..

Bob & Mikey

The elves find him irresistible, too, even with that big nose – at least his doesn’t glow in the dark!  Looks like Mikey is hitching a ride back to the north pole. (Elf sold separately.)

I found another Santa sitting in the breezeway yesterday, just waiting for a friend.  Could you be the one?

Santa's waiting for you!

I have seen a few smaller versions of these very funny reindeer around the store, so if whimsy is your theme, come by and check them out!

And now, from Really Big Decorations to a collection I think would be a perfect stocking stuffer ~ you might want to buy one of each and keep them around for occasions when you just want one little gift for someone special. These porcelain plaques are about 5″ square (the larger one is 5″ x 6.5″) and have two brass hangers securely attached to the back.  They come with the velvet bows you see here, and retail for only $11.99, a great value!

There are several more styles, these three just happen to be my favorites!  I love the dimensionality they have – the letters and decorations are raised, and the colors are rich and elegant.

Only 92 days til Christmas, and we are starting to feel the excitement!  Don’t forget about all the artists coming to visit the store over the next three months – check out the list here.  We’ve just added performances by a local seniors choir and a high school handbell choir, both of which are quite excellent.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

 

 

Two for Tuesday

I enjoy the whimsical things in life, and these animal ornaments fit right in when I noticed the little tags they bear – oink, moo, and baa.  That just makes me laugh!

Down on the Farm Ornaments

And now for something totally elegant…a handsome deer pair with stylized metal antlers, decorated with holly and carved seasonal landscapes.

Deer Figurines

Aren’t they extraordinary??

We’re having a cold, sunny day here – I have hesitated to mention the snow on the mountains because ours is mostly beautiful when so many others were snowed under this week.  I’ll have some pictures to share tomorrow, nonetheless – you’ll enjoy.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Two for Tuesday

I have picked out a couple of very elegant reindeer poised to pull Santa’s sleigh this year.  Both of these gentlemen surely promise a smooth and speedy ride, wouldn’t you say?

Regal in gold and white or exceptionally distinguished in jewel-encrusted gold gilt.

These two graceful and stylish characters will add real glamour to your holidays!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Two for Tuesday

We’ve got a huge selection of groovy stuff for that marvel of childhood, Thomas the Train, here in our Toy Store.  In addition to gear like this hat, we also have lamps and trains and tons of tracks, games and books, pails and snack containers and whistles, and I could keep going but you’ll want to look for yourself!

 

On a nearby tree I spotted this glittering reindeer ornament standing out from amoung the branches.  (Go for Glitter!)  Isn’t he elegant?

 

 

 ~Janet @ The Christmas Place

almost Wednesday…

I thought I’d better be thinking forward today!  Easter may have slipped by already, but spring is just beginning – especially considering that there were plenty of  white flakes here in the valley again today, though nothing that stuck.  

Here at the store, we’ve almost finished recarpeting the sales floors, and the displays and bins are filling up with sparkly new things – though not everything sparkles.  There are some delightful folk art items in the store, too.  The Jim Shore collection showcases his style, incorporating intricate quilt-like patterns in warm country colors into a collection of pieces that reflect his down-to-earth personality.

Elaborate Santas carved with ornamental embellishments, woodland creatures, elves, reindeer, snowmen, and angels are among the inhabitants that populate Jim’s vision of Christmas, along with a whimsical cat and dog or two.  In addition to figurines, we carry ornaments, candle warmers, plates, crosses, snow globes, and even a couple of flags.  Mickey and friends appear in Jim’s collection as well.

New this year, we’re adding a collection of whimsical dogs in intricately carved patterns, including a Scottie, Chihuahua, Poodle, and the beloved Lab.  If country is your Christmas style, we have plenty to suit your taste!

Janet @ The Christmas Place

Snowbabies!

It might seem slightly strange to be talking about Snowbabies on the first day of spring – but it is babies, not bunnies… I’m sure there are plenty of folks skiing into spring this year, but it’s also time for the introduction of new figurines from Department 56, and these are the cutest!

For the first time ever, these little guys and gals – and their snowmen, penguin, and moose pals - are dressed in real knit hats and scarves to keep them warm.  It is the 2008 “Babies Got New Clothes” line, and I know you’ll find them enchanting.   The exclusive, limited edition piece of the collection, “Up, Up, and Away,” features two reindeer harnessed to Santa’s sleigh, guided by a Snowbaby wearing Santa’s red cap and accompanied by a penguin pal.  The sleigh is filled with toys, and two more babies have hitched a ride on back.  Artist Kristi Jensen Pierro says this piece was inspired by an image from an old Victorian postcard.  The piece is 16“ long and 7-1/4“ tall.

In addition to the eight precious pieces in the clothes collection, Snowbabies is offering a new “Congratulations” recordable box that records your own 10 second message.  “Girls and Curls” and “Retail Therapy” are also new, along with a Collector’s Edition (limited) “Christmas Carousel” music box, with Snowbabies riding on delicate ponies. 

 Your favorites in the Snowbabies collection are still available, including pieces like “Snow Angels,” “Girlfriends,” items that spin, and the 12 days of Christmas ornament selection, along with a new 2008 Gift from God ornament. 

Best Friends visiting this year include Snow White, Ariel and friends, Winnie the Pooh, and “Mickey’s Marchmallow Roast” for Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and two Snowbabies around a lighted campfire.

Give us a call here at The Christmas Place, 1-800-445-3396, to pre-order your favorite 2008 pieces and make sure you don’t miss out on any of these special items.  While you’re at it, learn about the benefits of membership in our Department 56 Collectors Club, such as access to limited edition pieces and early notification about new releases.

I simply cannot resist these darling Snowbabies!

 ~Janet @ The Christmas Place

P.S. Easter and Spring Snowbabies are also still available.