Weekly Deals at ChristmasPlace.com

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

Two for Tuesday

Calling all Peanuts fans!  Here’s a cute cute cute figurine that includes Linus and the faithful Snoopy, raiding Santa’s chocolate chip cookies under the tree – are you sure you want to be on the naughty list, Linus??

Share Christmas Joy

I guess I’m on a cute theme today………

Snowbaby is decorating his favorite moose for Christmas in this chilly scene – glad everyone is warmly bundled!

Festive Attire

Not to mention that I just love those red sisal trees.  I will definitely have some of these among my decorations in December.  And check out the green tinsel trees, too – these are so fun!  Have I mentioned before my mad love for things on a small scale??

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

Waiting for Snow

They started it last week, issuing a winter storm warning for us for tonight and tomorrow.  That got the rampant speculation under way.  This morning, the forecasters said we’d start with rain and end with snow tonight, with no accumulation.  But reports are coming in of snowing-like-mad and an-inch-on-the-ground-and-still-coming-down.  We’re making excuses to walk by the window and peer out, looking for our share of the white stuff – at the first sign of which we will no doubt head out for supplies and the kids will anticipate a day or two out of school!

In a Spin, 2009 Snowbabies

Didn’t you love snow days when you were a kid??  I think that no matter how much you loved school, you still loved not-school even more!

I remember sledding down the hill on a big, flat piece of cardboard with my visiting-from-Florida cousins!  Sled til you’re soaked and frozen, then come in for barely long enough to dry and warm up, and out the door again.

If you’re hoping for snow, may your dreams be coming true today – school’s out in Sevier County.

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

How to have a good time at The Christmas Place

Pick a day of perfect weather – sunny, high in the 70s to low 80s.  Add several artists from well known companies like Ne’Qwa Art and Department 56.  Set up a tent in the courtyard for long-time collectors to bring out their favorite retired pieces.  Add a family of entertainers wandering the courtyard and store.  Serve up a taste of homemade fudge (all flavors!).  Top it all off with a basket full of treats delivered by a character in a puffy white Snowbaby suit, and everyone’s enjoying the party!

Trieste of Ne Qwa signing an ornament

Kristi Jensen Pierro signing a SnowbabyEntertainment by Team Kirkwood

It was a beautiful day for a Secondary Market

Department 56 collectors selling retired pieces

A portion of the proceeds from the sale was donated to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Medical Clinic in Sevierville, Tennessee.

The pièce de résistance, Snowbaby on Santa-s knee

Okay, yes, there was a bit of competition as to who has the rounder belly, but Santa claims his is the only real one in the photo!  We just have to share a couple more photos with you.

Our Snowbaby handing out treats

Kristi Pierro with Christmas Place Staff

It was a terrific day, thanks to all of you who came to the store and joined in the fun of having an ornament, Snowbaby or village house signed by one of the artists.  Pebbie Mott was on hand, too, signing her painted backgrounds for Department 56 villages.  She’s added quite a few for the new year, including a Snow Village Halloween backdrop.

Although the leaves are changing more slowly than I would like, the crisp mornings and evenings are so lovely in the mountains this time of year – arriving home around sunset one night last week, the wood fire smoke was hanging blue in the air, skimming the valley – a site that makes me very happy, and is not to be missed!  If you haven’t yet, come on down to the mountains and take in a little early fall for yourself.  It’s almost Wednesday!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

We have them dancing in the – well, the courtyard!

We weren’t quite dancing in the street, but we had several rousing rounds of The Chicken Dance in the courtyard today, along with a few Polkas ~ courtesy of John & Becky Lowery and friends who entertained the crowds on two German street organs and an accordion.

The hand-crank organ was custom-made in Germany, and the performers were even able to select the paintings that decorate the case.  The pipes in front are carved, and tunes are played by a punched-paper music roll run through rollers.  The sound is similar to a calliope or hurdy gurdy.

The crowd really enjoyed dancing along with the music!

Along with the two organs, one performer entertained on this beautiful accordion.

It was great fun to watch, sing, and dance along with the group ~ no lederhosen required! ~ and a great start to our very busy weekend.

We’ve packed Saturday’s schedule with artist signings and activities:

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pebbie Mott of Pebbie Art is signing her delightful Department 56 Village backdrop prints.
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Trieste is in the store to demonstrate the Ne’Qwa technique of painting mouth-blown glass ornaments – on the INSIDE surface!
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Kristi Pierro, the creator of Snowbabies, will be signing Department 56 Snowbabies and Village houses (and we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Snow Village Halloween collection).
• Opening at 9 a.m., five vendors will be in a tent in our courtyard participating in the Department 56 Secondary Market, selling retired village houses and collectibles.  The Secondary Market continues on Sunday.
• Team Kirkwood will be in the courtyard from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. entertaining with clowning and balloon animals.
• Parrot Mountain will be here all day with a selection of exotic birds.
• Singing Santa will be in concert several times during the day, as well as available for visits and photos.

I need to get some rest before all the fun begins in the morning ~ and I believe it’s scheduled to be another spectacular fall day in the Smokies!  Come join us!

~Janet @ The Christmas Place

A very busy weekend to start October!

We’re filling the schedule for the first weekend in October – here is a list so you can plan your day.

DEPARTMENT 56 SNOWBABIES AND VILLAGE SIGNING

Department 56 Snowbabies designer Kristi Jensen Pierro will be at The Incredible Christmas Place on Saturday, October 4th, 2008, for an exclusive signing of Snowbabies and Village collectibles*!

Order today and we’ll hold your items for the signing and ship them to you the following week.  The deadline for preorders is the end of the day on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008.  Click here to begin shopping!

Come by the store to meet Kristi and enter drawings for door prizes and complimentary memberships in the Christmas Place Department 56 Collector’s Club.  Club members receive exclusive benefits including free catalogs, priority access to certain limited edition pieces, free shipping on orders over $200, and gift cards valued at ten percent of purchases that may be redeemed at the store or at The Inn at Christmas Place.  You may also purchase club memberships online.

Kristi has been drawing and creating Snowbabies for over 20 years, in designs inspired by childhood memories and friendships through the years.  This year, she introduced the “Babies Got New Clothes” line, looking quite cozy in their hand-knit stocking hats, scarves, and mittens of red or green.  As a representative of Department 56, Kristi will be signing Village houses* as well. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the creator of the delightful Snowbabies collectibles and have your treasured pieces* signed by Kristi Jensen Pierro!

 SECONDARY MARKET FOR DEPARTMENT 56
COLLECTOR’S CLUB MEMBERS 

On Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th, 2008, we’ll be hosting our annual Secondary Market for Christmas Place Collector’s Club members.  Members may rent a table for two days (tented outside area, overnight security is included) for only $145, to sell retired Village and Snowbabies collectibles.  Here is a great opportunity to purchase that exclusive – and elusive – house or figurine that you missed when it was first released!  Vendors at the Secondary Market will be able to authorize some pieces* for signing by Kristi on Saturday in the store. 

Only a few tables remain to be rented for the Secondary Market, so call 1-800-445-3396, extension 110, today to reserve your table with Teresa Hughes.  If it’s a local call for you, dial 865-453-0415. 

*Kristi will not be able to sign accessory pieces. 

PEBBIE ART CHRISTMAS VILLAGE BACKGROUNDS SIGNING 

Many collectors have completed their Department 56 village displays with one or more of the colorful and detailed paintings of town and country village backgrounds by Pebbie Art.  Pebbie Mott will be in the store from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, October 4th, 2008, to sign her backgrounds. 

Printed on heavy, durable paper, Pebbie’s backdrops are designed to compliment Department 56 village houses, and can be easily trimmed to fit a book or display case.  Halloween backdrops have been very popular this year.

If you’d like to add a truly professional finishing touch to your scenes, purchase an original creation by Pebbie Art, and have your backdrops signed by the artist in our store.  While you’re here, be sure to register for the door prize drawings we’re holding that day.

Ne’Qwa Art Signing

Trieste of Ne’Qwa Art will be in the store from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday, October 4th, 2008, for an exclusive painting demonstration and signing of their hand-painted glass ornaments.  Utilizing the centuries-old Chinese art technique of reverse painting on the inside surface of mouth-blown glass ornaments, only a handful of artists have the skills to bring Ne’Qwa art objects to life.  More than 25 artists are featured on Ne’Qwa glass.

This special ornament featuring the charming image of Santa communing with a reindeer is the highlighted ornament for this year’s signing event.  Purchase this or any other ornament in advance and we will hold them for signing and shipment directly to you after October 4, 2008!

 Due to the popularity of this line, we ask that you bring no more than four ornaments (purchased at The Christmas Place) through the signing line.

In addition to the signings and tent sale, local artists Team Kirkwood will be here to entertain our guests with costumes, balloon characters, and performances.

After visiting each of our signers, take a leisurely tour of the store and enjoy all the trees that have just been completely redecorated, and end the day with an ice cream and candy treat from Mrs. Claus’ Candy Kitchen.  It’s going to be a spectacular weekend to kick off October!

Have a great one, and don’t forget that it’s almost Monday…heh heh heh!

~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

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.