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
- 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
