It’s that time of year again, when many of my favorite specialty stores host a Christmas shop open house.
There’s always beautiful and enticing holiday displays of decorated trees, tableware, gifts, floral arrangements and other festive decor.
Most stores host their Christmas open house the first or second weekend after Halloween. I’ll admit, that’s a tad on the early side for me, as I’m usually still busy packing up Halloween decorations and preparing for Thanksgiving.
But, it’s a good opportunity to pick up some new holiday decorating ideas, if not make a few purchases to tuck away and get a head start on the Christmas season.
My first stop took me to Old Allegheny Shoppe, which features country and traditional furniture and home accessories.
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Open House Christmas Shop
I try to stop by Old Allegheny several times a year. They do a wonderful job of stocking and displaying unique country holiday decor for each season.
Check out other excursions at Spring Open House, Favorite Halloween and Fall Decor Shopping, and Shop, Pack and Store Holiday Decorations, Tableware.
Old Fashioned Christmas Vibe
This year, we were going to be out of town to see eldest son run the New York City Marathon. So, I stopped in Old Allegheny Shoppe on the way back home from an appointment.
Although the main room’s Christmas shop decoration was under construction, the rest of the place was bedecked and adorned from ceiling to floor. The magic of the holidays hit me the moment I set foot inside.
In addition to some of my larger Christmas decorations, I’ve also purchased ornaments, candles, and gourmet food items. It’s also great for finding special hostess gifts.
Family owned for over 40 years, Old Allegheny is over 10,000 feet in size, with lots of rooms to explore. There are two front rooms. Today, the one to the left is decorated for Christmas, while the one to the right still has fall and Thanksgiving decor.
In addition to country furniture, there’s lamps, linens, rugs and more. A cigar shop is attached to it in the back.
They have an amazing candle boutique. It’s packed full of all kinds of candles, scents, holders and accessories. An entire second wall of candles is on the opposite side from this picture. If you’re looking for a particular type of candle, they probably have it.
What’s more likely is you’ll discover something you never knew you had to have, lol. So, be warned, its nearly impossible to leave empty handed!
Shop Entices With Varied Themes
Take your time wandering through Old Allegheny’s many rooms. Some have a certain motif, color scheme, or theme; such as Americana or Victorian. This year, there were snowmen in one room, angels in another, and much more.
Don’t you just love these adorable felt mice? It was all I could do to stop myself from picking up the ones on skis and snow shoes!
already have five trees I decorate at home. Sadly, my inn is full to overflowing…not even space for a tiny mouse or two!
Also dangerous for me are the numerous theme tables set with Christmas linens, centerpieces, candles and decorations. Aren’t the mini wreaths on the back of each chair special? I love the tin trees and reindeer too. They’d also look great on a fireplace mantle.
So many holiday themes, not enough house or storage space!
Here’s another table decorated with snowmen, pinecones and greenery. Old Allegheny has the most authentic looking floral picks, garlands, wreaths and greenery.
Oh, and ribbon! Such wonderful Christmas ribbon and unique garland strands to decorate or supplement your own wreaths, centerpieces or tree.
I have to try and stop back to see what they did with the main, center room. The owner told me lots of red and green. It’s always magical.
If you live in the Pittsburgh area, particularly the South Hills, it’s well worth a visit to enjoy the holiday displays and soak up a little Christmas atmosphere. But, I’m willing to bet you won’t go home without a Christmas tree ornament or two!
Look for upcoming posts of some of my other favorite Christmas shop stops, including Visiting Trax Farms at Christmastime.
Bee Merry!
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