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Christmas. Say the word and those crisp syllables sing of a sense of joy, hope and happy expectation, of a whole lot of sparkle and a dose of magic and fun. And now say beach. We get relaxation, cool salty breezes, hues of coastal blues and tans and the bright warmth of the sun. And what do these two words have in common? Both resonate with peace and rejuvenation, conjuring special times for making memories with we love.
The Christmas Shop in Manteo is a destination where Christmas and the beach combine in a shopping adventure that offers something for everybody and at every price point. Come inside for a tour of this remarkable shop that’s been mingling the magic of Christmas and the fun of the beach for more than 50 years.
First, grab a map. With 25,000 square feet of shopping to explore, you might need it. The Christmas Shop encompasses a huge space, and it’s wheelchair accessible and pet friendly. Let’s start on the Christmas side of the shop. With OBX ornaments and free personalization, you’re sure to find something to bring home to mix a Christmas memory with a beach one.
“It’s so nice to pull out those ornaments and have a souvenir you can use every year,” says Gary Chatnik, owner of The Christmas Shop. “Our ornaments help mark the memories you’ve created while at The Outer Banks.”
Lighthouses, sand dollars, mermaids and Outer Banks wild ponies are just a few examples of the coastal keepsake ornaments you can find. There are ornaments for every occupation, hobby or enthusiasm you can imagine too. The free personalization is a big draw for shoppers, as they can engrave names and dates and come back to add to their family’s collection of memories each year. Gifts, garlands, decorations, collectibles, stockings, candles and trees are also some of the Christmas items available.
Christmas isn’t the only holiday featured at The Christmas Shop. A huge Halloween room features fall decor along with some items designed for those who like a good scare.
The General Store section is great for kids, featuring tons of old-fashioned candy, locally made chocolates, stuffed animals and toys. On the adult side of things, a new addition to The Christmas Shop is its wine shop. Featuring local varieties you won’t find at the grocery, this section offers daily wine tastings. Coffee and gourmet foods (like meats and cheeses) that make great gifts can also be found here, including plenty of local items.
Housewares comprise another large section of The Christmas Shop, with loads of coastal decor to bring a bit of the beach home. Candles, shawls, jewelry, handbags, lotions and Outer Banks souvenirs make The Christmas Shop a one-stop shopping adventure for everyone on your list, and they also can put together personalized gift baskets.
As longstanding members of the community, welcoming both residents and visitors to seasonal events is important to the owners of The Christmas Shop.
“We try to do as much as we can to involve ourselves with the community, either behind the scenes or by hosting events,” Gary says.
The Christmas Shop works with the Town of Manteo and hosts a fall display where people come to take photos. As you can imagine, Christmas events are popular, with Santa coming for visits and photos throughout the fall until the holiday itself. Leprechauns have been known to pop by for St. Patrick’s Day, and The Christmas Shop offers a big Easter egg hunt each spring.
“We’re always trying to add more events throughout the year with activities for kids,” Gary says, adding that these events are either free or very low cost and always offer great photo opportunities.
Christmas is a time for magic and memories, just like the special moments we spend relaxing at the beach. The Christmas Shop in Manteo has been successfully combining these memory-making moments for more half a century. Stop in for that specific sensory adventure of beachy Christmas.
(252) 473-2838
621 S. U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
outerbankschristmas.com
About the Author Heather Frese
Heather Frese fell in love with the Outer Banks when she was three years old. She grew up camping every summer on Hatteras Island, and her writing is deeply influenced by the history and wild beauty of the area. Her debut novel, The Baddest Girl on the Planet, won the Lee Smith Novel Prize and is set on Hatteras Island. 
