Christmas in the Gullion house starts on Thanksgiving Day.
While my wife is inside preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal, I’m outside decking the house for Christmas.
We run strands of colorful lights along the eaves and our small front porch. We decorate the bushes.
But that’s all backdrop. The front yard is where the magic happens.
The magic is roughly a dozen holiday and pop culture-themed light-up inflatables.
We have “Droids to The World” starring C3P0 and R2D2. There’s a separate BB8 as well as a Chewbacca.
We also have a giant Christmas Mickey Mouse and a Christmas Minion, equally tall. In case you’re wondering if we have anything more traditional Christmas, we do have Santa in a hot air balloon and a roughly life-sized version of Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf. There’s also a tiny unicorn, a concession to my youngest.
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The first thing we do when we finish decorating is to go to our favorite Christmas tree guy who comes down from Michigan each year and sets up shop.
I’m a Christmas guy. We’re Christmas people.
I like the idea of Christmas. Of peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.
I like songs and TV shows. I like the idea that during the Christmas season, we try to be better people, we try to be a better world.
We’re a little more patient. We’re a little more forgiving. And I love the youthful anticipation as the big day approaches.
I just love Christmas. If you feel like I do, to paraphrase Peter Frampton, I’ve got just the place for you.
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What is The Christmas Place?
The Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge keeps it festive 24/7, all year long.
What is the Christmas Place? It’s a little like the North Pole picked up and landed in the Smoky Mountains, except the elves in Pigeon Forge ain’t giving any toys away.
In fact, The Christmas Place touts itself as the South’s largest Christmas shopping village.
The Christmas Place feeds the Christmas fever of people like me all year round.
They offer a fantastic selection of indoor and outdoor lights, collectibles, Christmas ornaments, trees, gifts and home and business decorations – most of which are considerably less gaudy than my own Christmas décor.
It’s also a great place to shop for Christmas gifts or simply walk around and get in the spirit of Christmas with designer themed Christmas trees nestled among Christmas villages and shops.
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What do they sell at The Christmas Place?
The Christmas Place is your premier destination for anything Christmas related.
They have traditional Christmas lights, a wide selection of novelty lights, trees and more.
They offer designer-themed Christmas trees and sell holiday brands such as Department 56, Lemax and Christopher Radko.
If Christmas is your favorite holiday, it’s definitely worth adding to your nice list.
What time does The Christmas Place close?
It’s open from 10 am to 8 pm throughout the week, from 10 am to 9 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday.
The Christmas Place has something for everyone who is in the Christmas spirit.
But John, you might say, what if I’m in the Christmas spirit at 9:26 pm on a weeknight?
First, sing some carols.
Secondly, this Christmas store has extensive online shopping options where you can scratch that jolly old itch any time you want.
Who owns The Christmas Place?
The Christmas Place and the shops at Bell Tower Square were founded as a family business by Hurshel and Marian Biggs in 1986, both of whom have since passed away.
The Bavarian-style shopping village has since become one of the top ten Christmas and collectible stores in the United States.
Over the years, The Christmas Place has been honored for its merchandising and decorating achievements.
Among the awards they’ve received is the “NOEL Retailer of the Year” for a specialty store. This annual award recognizes a company that has achieved outstanding growth and performance through excellence in merchandising Christmas products.
It also recognizes the significant contributions to the Christmas Decoration Industry.
There is also an Incredible Christmas Place location in Mt. Juliet, which is in middle Tennessee.
Wait. Is it The Christmas Place or the Incredible Christmas Place?
Ah. You’ve discovered the classic conundrum.
The signage outside the village and much of the promotional material refer to The Christmas Place with a flowing banner with the word “Incredible” waving above it.
The store’s website, however, is inconsistent. Sometimes it’s The Christmas Place, sometimes it’s the Incredible Christmas Place.
I’ve always referred to it simply as The Christmas Place, which I prefer, but I realize I do not have the power to change reality with my headcanon.
So far, four things in my life have been worthy of the “Incredible” moniker: “The Incredible Hulk”, “The Incredible Shrinking Woman” starring Lily Tomlin, “The Incredibles” and the classic TV show of my youth “That’s Incredible”.
Ultimately, whether it’s The Christmas Place or The Incredible Christmas Place, it remains a slice of the North Pole year-round in the Smoky Mountains and that is … well, pretty incredible.
There’s also an Inn at The Christmas Place
Guests who love to celebrate Christmas all year long may also enjoy staying at The Inn at Christmas Place.
The Inn is located across the Parkway from The Christmas Place on Christmas Tree Lane.
The inn features the same incredible decorations year-round, with an indoor pool, a large hot tub as well as an outdoor pool with a figure-8 waterslide.
All rooms come with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, a DVD player, microwave, free wifi and a coffee maker.
Select rooms have in-room whirlpools, a gas fireplace and a private balcony.
A hot breakfast is included, which includes omelets, eggs, meats such as bacon, ham and sausage and breakfast pastries, although selections may vary.
Character visits occur six days a week at 9 am from March through December.
Other attractions that will put you in the Christmas spirit
You can visit The Christmas Place any time of year and it will be decorated for the holidays.
However, if you’re happening to visit during the holiday season, the Great Smoky Mountains area is covered with lights and decorations.
Two of my favorites to visit during Christmastime include the Titanic Museum and the Dollywood theme park. These attractions know how to decorate for the holidays.
Where is The Christmas Place?
The Christmas Place is located at 2470 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains.
Have you visited The Incredible Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge? What did you think? Let us know in the comments.
