City: Pigeon Forge, TN

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (865) 453-0414, (800) 445-3396

Address: 2470 Parkway

Description: Since Hurshel and Marian Biggs opened their store in 1986, the 43,000-square-foot Bavarian-style complex containing many “shops” under one roof has grown into one of the top 10 Christmas and collectible destinations in the United States. You’ll find it just north of the Wears Valley Road intersection, right across the street from the Inn at Christmas Place (see the Hotels and Motels chapter). The Bavarian village setting is quite attractive. The buildings themselves reflect old-world architecture and are surrounded by cobbled brick walkways, wildflowers, and greenery. In the center of the courtyard, a large model train setup features cars winding their way through a village scene and running waterfall.When you walk through the doors, you enter a year-round Christmas fantasyland filled with thousands of Yuletide decorations. Although an all-Christmas store could easily be presented in a tacky or junky fashion, Christmas Place is first-class all the way. Dozens of lighted and decorated tree displays fill the main showroom, along with plenty of figurines, decorations, and gift items. In the North Pole Village area, you’ll find a wide selection of artificial trees, ornaments, and lights. Look for collectible names like Department 56, Lee Middleton, Fontanini, and Christopher Radko. There’s a personalizing gallery, a large department of miniature village scenes, and an in-house floral department. At the east end of the store, keep an eye out for the large stained-glass window that looks down on a peaceful nativity scene. If you’ve got kids, check out the displays of model train kits in addition to the toys and games. Every so often, some of the collectibles artists come to meet customers and sign their own creations.The Incredible Christmas Place also has a Singing Santa who strums his guitar and visits with children from Easter weekend to December 23rd each year. You can even have a portrait made, if you want to beat the rush at your mall back home. The store also has a guest rewards program; for every $250 you spend in a two-year period at either at the store (in person or online) or at the hotel across the street, you’ll receive a $10 coupon. Two other shops that are part of the complex but have separate entrances are Mrs. Claus’s Candy Kitchen, which sells hot and cold sandwiches and a selection of delectable fudges and cookies, and the Vera Bradley boutique, which carries a full line of Vera Bradley designer handbags and other gift items.