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The holidays are, as the song goes, the most wonderful time of the year. To get into a holiday frame of mind at any time of the year, The Christmas Shop in Manteo is the Outer Banks’ beloved holiday shopping destination.
The Christmas Shop has been offering beachside holiday magic for more than 50 years, so they know all about the holly and the jolly. It is a shopping adventure that offers something for everybody at every price point.
With 25,000 square feet of shopping to discover, you might need to grab one of their maps before you start exploring. The Christmas Shop encompasses a huge space, and it is wheelchair accessible and pet friendly. On the Christmas side of the shop, OBX ornaments with free personalization are some of the most popular items.
“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 on 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 some of the other Christmas items available.
But 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 of the store is great for kids, featuring tons of old-fashioned candy, locally made chocolates, stuffed animals and toys. For adults, a new addition is a wine shop. This section offers daily wine tastings along with gifts like coffee, gourmet foods (including meats and cheeses) and locally made items. In another section, coastal décor and housewares can help you bring a bit of the beach home. The staff can also put together personalized gift baskets.
Seasonal events are 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 to host a fall display where people come to take photos. Christmas events are always very popular, with Santa coming for visits and photos throughout the autumn until the holiday itself.
The Christmas Shop has been adding a whole lot of sparkle to the Outer Banks for more than 50 years. If the joy of the holiday season jingles your bells, you will want to hop on your one-horse open sleigh and come over to explore everything The Christmas Shop has to offer.
(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. 
