YEAR-ROUND CHRISTMAS STORES Where Santa Makes Sales Sense

Christmas and Holiday Merchandise at Christmas Stores

Store owners and staff are always in a holiday mood when welcoming shoppers at these four Christmas stores. From east coast to west, Christmas ornaments and other holiday merchandise remain big sellers all year.

At Christmas Spirit in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Owner Jill Hudson said her location helps to sell her merchandise. “Because we are at a beach location, anything that is beachy, anything that reflects the area, is a top seller in holiday merchandise. We carry a lot of items that are personalized, or that have the name of our town on it. We also do well with a lot of beach-themed decorations being just a block and a half from the water.” This includes holiday ornaments and décor that is name-dropped with “Rehoboth” or souvenir ornament décor that features local icons like Dolle’s Saltwater Taffy. Another popular item are handpainted sand dollar ornaments that use a lively Grinch theme. “We have sand dollars painted to resemble the Grinch himself, Cindy Lou, and Max. All are tree ornament figures.” Hudson noted that the store also does well with Glass Company ornaments, because of their attractive traditional style, and items from Christopher Radko. The store also sells holiday tea towels, but this is not a top-selling category.

Primarily, the store caters to out-of-town visitors. “We are mostly a tourist-based destination. I think we serve these customers well with ornaments that can be personalized, which make a great take-home memory, or with our sand dollars and other unique, beach-themed items,” Hudson said. She added “Personalizing with family names and dates is very popular.”

To create an aura of year-round holiday excitement, Hudson said she relies on an iconic figure in the front window of her approximately 2,000-square-foot store. “We have a life-size Grinch that changes seasonally. For example, right now, he’s wearing a captain’s hat and an anchor shirt. He’s carrying a beach towel and a life preserver. People always want to come in and take pictures with him. He really draws people in, the Grinch!”

Heading south to Charleston, S.C., Brittany Wilson is the director of operations at Charleston Christmas Collectibles. According to Wilson, at her store, the largest holiday sellers are unique and one-of-a-kind items, as well as collectibles. “We focus on collectible lines such as Jim Shore and Buyer’s Choice; the Santa line of Department 56 Merchandise also does well. But a real standout for us are our custom pieces