Live from Christmas Place

Well, as close to live as we can get – within 15 minutes of live??  Here are some pics of our guests working the tent sale – the bins in the middle are filled with floral items, and the side tables are piled with all kinds of treasures.  It’s a warm, sunny day and we have a couple of big fans going, so come on down and grab a bargain.  I spotted some silk geraniums that are possibly calling my name…

More goodies coming out from the stockroom throughout the day!

Hope you’re having a great weekend,

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Calamity Janet

So, I don’t know how it’s going with you, but I’m now ready for this week to come to an end.  First, I dropped a 20 pound wooden box filled with spices – ON MY HEAD.  Crazy!  I have a big lump on top, and my neck is achy, and I’m a little dizzy when I lean my brain too far from vertical in any direction- but at least there was no bleeding.  Oh, I did manage to catch a grapefruit-sized bruise on my leg.  Yay.  Hey, the box did not get dented or smash to the floor!  The spices were saved! 

Then, a couple of days later…I locked myself out of the house.  No spare key.  No cell phone.  Like I would have any idea who to call.  Thank goodness I found one window unlocked.  After propping open the window with a convenient stick, I had to climb under a storm window and over a very pointy-ish aluminum frame.  With my dizzy head.  Yay again.

I think it will be a very good weekend to stay home, in one position.  After a trip to the hardware store for a spare key.  But not YOU – You need to come down to our sidewalk sale.  The tent is in place, and the skids, and they are loading in the merchandise – I hear that some items are priced so low we’re arming staff with super-soaker water guns in case the frenzy gets out of control!  The fire department does not want us using extinguishers after…well, they just don’t.  The sale starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow and goes right on through til 4 p.m. Monday.

Also, don’t forget about the book signing with Sevier County author Nita Fox and Christmas Place artist Andrea Wallace!  Captain Benjamin Dale would make a perfect stocking stuffer for any little readers on your Christmas list.

Be careful out there, people.  It’s a crazy mad wonderful world!  And it’s almost Monday!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place (the one carrying the extra big set of keys and concrete umbrella)

Labor Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale

It’s here!  This weekend!  The Labor Day  Weekend Sidewalk Sale at The Incredible Christmas Place!  Is anyone else astonished that it’s Labor Day 2008 already!  Well, I sure am…this year is vanishing at an alarming pace! 

Anyhoo, the tents and tables filled with discounted treasurers will be awaiting your arrival at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.  Here are the sale hours:

• Saturday, August 30th, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, August 31st, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Monday, September 1st, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our staff has been going through all the bins (about 33,667) on all the shelves (about 27.8 miles) and scaring spiders in nooks and crannies from attic to basement to round up all sorts of wonderful things that we would love for you to take away from here for a nice, low price.  We have tons of Christmas goodies, but you know we also carry a lot of stuff that isn’t just for Christmas – home decor, collegiate souvenirs, garden accessories, plenty of assorted gift-y things – I’m sure there will be many surprises to sift through, and you’ll find some great bargains.

Each year we donate a portion of the proceeds of the Sidewalk Sale to a local charity.  This year we are pleased to be making a donation to Safe Space (865-453-9254), a shelter for at-risk women and children in Sevier County.

Happy shopping!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Artists Visiting The Incredible Christmas Place

As with any collectible, the artist’s signature on a piece measurably increases its value.  We have already scheduled several signing events for the summer and fall.  These events present a great opportunity for you to purchase the newest collectibles in a line and have them signed by the artist who was inspired to create the piece.

Often, there are presales of new items ~ so you can order ahead, have your piece signed during the event, and we’ll ship it directly to you after the event.  If possible, wouldn’t it be more fun to come on down to the store and meet the artist in person?  I haven’t experienced one yet myself, but I hear that it’s a kick to meet and talk with them in the store.

• Friday, July 18, 2008 – Mark Roberts, creator of Fairies and Santas ~ there are new, exclusive pieces which may be preordered by calling the store and will be shipped to you after the event.
• Saturday, July 19, 2008 – Charming Tails signing ~ there will be a piece or two sold exclusively during the signing event.
• Saturday, October 4, 2008 – Kristi Pierro, Department 56 and Snowbabies ~ the spring releases have just been announced, and we’ll be preselling several pieces in both collections.
• Saturday, October 4, 2008 – NeQwa ~ one of the artists who creates these exquisite, hand-painted ornaments will be in the store.
• Saturday, October 18, 2008 – John Satterfield, San Francisco Music Box

Of course, mixed in with all these signings, we’ll also have the usual summer exclusive happenings here at The Christmas Place.

• June 14-15, 2008 ~ Garden Party, with face-painting for the kids, fun and games, and general merriment throughout the store and courtyard.
• June 15, 2008 ~ Father’s Day celebration.
• July 1, 2008 ~ Singing Santa is available for individual and family photos in the store.
• July 4, 2008 ~ Uncle Sam is in the house.
• August 30-31, 2008 ~ Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale (bargains all over the place).

We do keep things hopping around here, even before Santa and the elves are back from summer vacations!  Come on by and stop in for a visit.  What better way to cool off in the heat of summer than with a trip to the North Pole?  (We have one here, uh-huh, I’ve seen the sign!)

~Janet @ The Christmas Place