The Christmas Shoppe

The Christmas Shoppe on North Main Street has been selling ornaments since 2007, and it's female owned. It isn't a year-round shop anymore. Its own site says it has become a true seasonal Christmas store, open in July and then from Labor Day weekend through December 25. That means it's open right now, and it stays open straight through the holiday weekends.

The shelves lean European: handmade ornaments from across Europe, personalizable ornaments, Steinbach nutcrackers, hand-painted Russian Santas, Matryoshka nesting dolls, snow globes and even real decorated Austrian eggs. The Helen CVB listing also mentions Department 56 Snow Babies, Lenox teapots, collegiate ornaments and Lava candles.

The shop's website shows 10 AM to 5 PM on a typical day, and the CVB listing breaks the week down. It's closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so don't plan a midweek visit around it. Hours can change as the season fills up, so call before a long trip.

The shop is on the same stretch of North Main as most of the German import shops. Come back in the winter for Helen's Christmas Market and Lighting of the Village (check the events calendar for dates) and you'll find the whole town dressed to match the shop.

The shop's website says it is open for July, then from Labor Day weekend through Christmas Day, and it lists the address as 8749 North Main Street and the phone as 706-878-1012. It has been female-owned since it opened in 2007. Personalizable ornaments are one of its listed services, so if you want a name or year on one, call ahead to ask about timing rather than counting on a same-day turnaround.

The shop is on North Main Street, so it fits into a downtown loop with the downtown shopping guide. Helen has no meters or garages: free city lots sit east of Main Street and private lots post their rates. Read the parking guide before event days. For cold-weather planning, Helen in December covers the lights and the weather.