The Christmas Tree Store

Our Christmas Tree Store opened a couple of years ago. I had never heard of this chain store so I assumed it was only for Christmas items and I ignored it. I owud go to the shopping center where it opened and pass right by. Then a friend of mine and I had lunch together and she said she had some shopping to do in that area and we should stop in at The Christmas Tree Store. I just rolled my eyes and said I don't need another Christmas item. She immediately corrected me. "This store carries everything for every Holiday and every day in between, believe me, you'll be impressed" she said.

These stores are located in Delaware,Maine, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Johnson CIty , N.Y.

Sure enough when we walked in I was just amazed. This is a fabulous store. It's fairly large but not overwhelming. The stock is laid out in sections by specific areas, hosewares, snacks, wrapping, candles. It has areas for gardening items, dishware, kitchenware, exotic food, stationery, lamps, childrens toys, pet items, books, cards, bric a brac, baskets and even some clothing accessories. The merchandise varies with lots of new items featured in the charming little catalog they send out regularly to bring you in. Depending on the season they will feature some beach items or loads of Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas items As you walk in there are large counters with some of the specials they are featuring at the time. On that first trip there were great lawn items, garden flags, beach carry alls and beach towels. The garden area has featured beautiful birdhouses and glass Hummingbird feeders, suet, seed bells and the like. The prices are always extraordinary. I've seen croc look a likes, wonderful cake pedestals, bird baths all for less than $10.00. Microfiber towels that I've seen in catalogs for $9.99 were $1.00 each.

I've seen dog beds that are $9.99 at Petsmart for $4.99. One year I bought cute little Santa outfits for my dogs for $1.99. No costumes for dogs are less than $9.99 at Petsmart.

Last Christmas they had the huge blow up outdoor snowballs that were so popular, great artificial trees, wonderful carved Santas and lots of Christmas greenery. This year the outdoor candy canes are only 4.99. A 55" lit Snowman is $7.99. Mittens are only $2.99 here they were $3.99 for the same mittens at Amazing Savings a few miles down the road.

Gorgeous quilts are featured in this months catalog for only $24.99, a childs igloo tent is $19.95. What a great gift that is for hours of fun. A gingerbread house kit, $8.99. This is $16.99 elsewhere. Buy a Pannetone to bring for your hostess at Thanksgiving or CHristmas, 2 lbs for $3.99.

After Holiday sales usually start before the Holiday is actually over and the prices go down to 90% off very quickly. If you need gifts for the following year, if you like to plan ahead this is a very good store to do your bargain hunting in. The items may be bargains but they are good quality.

You can find unusual furniture there, mostly on a small scale size wise and all at good prices. I've seen hand painted tables and chairs for children, wonderful ottomans, really pretty cabinets all for under $40.00. I bought a gorgeous child's upholstered rocker for $29.99. A gift shop near me was offering them, new, for $139.00. They offer a nice array of throw pillows and rugs. They had adorable night lights at one visit that looked like half of a lampshade with maribou trim. These were $2.99. I'd seen them in catalogs for $14.99. These aren't close outs or overstock as far as I know. I believe it's just a wonderful assortment of merchandise found by excellent merchandise managers .

In the rear of the store there are endcaps with sale items. Always a good place to check.

On the left side of the store I go to are the special foods, books and stationery, childrens clothing and furnishings and pet goods.

The center of the store will often have square displays of the specials.

This is the kind of store you visit regularly just to see what's new , what the bargains are, what you cannot live without. I go in thinking I need nothing and come out loaded. When you do see some wonderful treasures there you should snatch them up since items, once all gone, aren't necessarily restocked.

The Christmas Tree Stores are a chain that stretches from Connecticut to the South. I highly recommend looking for one near you.