These Wilmington-area shops spread Christmas cheer throughout the year

While many local and national retailers hang lights and feature holiday displays in the late fall and winter months, three local shops stay red and green all year long.

In Wilmington, Southport and Calabash's year-round Christmas shops, "Merry Christmas" is not a seasonal phrase.

These are the stores where you can grab Christmas essentials any day of the year.

A Christmas Shoppe, Wilmington

Located on Front Street in downtown Wilmington just steps away from the Riverwalk, A Christmas Shoppe has been stocking Christmas cheer since 2008.

Surrounded by shiny ornaments, bunches of holly and colorful ribbon, shop owner Deb Woody said this is what her shop looks like all year long.

"I start decorating for Christmas in January," she said.

Woody said this time of year is actually slower for her than the rest of the year -- her busiest season is from Easter to Labor Day. In the summer months, like many downtown Wilmington shops, A Christmas Shoppe benefits from the heavy foot traffic of the city's tourists.

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Now, she's competing with Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Lowe's Home Improvement and other stores selling holiday items this season.

From personalizing ornaments to handmaking tree skirts, tree toppers and pillows, Woody said the personal touches her small business can offer keep tourists and locals coming back to her shop year after year.

For some, a stop at A Christmas Shoppe has become tradition during their summer vacations to New Hanover County's beaches. Some families, Woody said, have come by every year of the past decade.

"It's been fun watching the kids grow up," she said.

The shop also offers some neutral items, not specific to Christmas, such as Wilmington pillows and Woody's hand-painted canvasses featuring marine wildlife.

St. Nick Nacks Christmas Shop, Calabash

Within Callahan's of Calabash, nestled near the South Carolina boarder, is a collection of more than four million Christmas ornaments and more than 150 decorated trees.

Callahan's opened in 1978 and added the dedicated St. Nick Nacks Christmas Shop section in 1985. In total, the store occupies more than 35,000 square feet and is filled with gifts, souvenirs and collectibles.

Justine Schwindel, marketing manager for Callahan Dining and Retail, said the store's loyal customer base allows the Christmas shop to remain open all year long.

"We do get a good bit of tourist traffic, but we have a great local, loyal customer base as well," she said. "So they are who keep us going throughout the year."

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Schwindel said locals from the Carolinas frequent the store year-round, and tourists have made St. Nick Nacks a tradition for decades.

"I think they really appreciate that this was started by a family in '78 and that it has continued in that same family," she said. "They really appreciate supporting that and it being a local business and just shopping small."

St. Nick Nacks also features décor for other major holidays, such as Easter, the Fourth of July, Halloween and St. Patrick's Day.

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During the Christmas season, Schwindel said St. Nick Nacks is well known for its bows made by hand, in house and on the spot for free (with the purchase of ribbon) to adorn wreaths, Christmas trees, mailboxes or homes.

Select St. Nick Nacks items are available for purchase online and over the phone. For more information visit callahansgifts.com.

The Christmas House, Southport

Just a couple blocks from the Cape Fear River in downtown Southport sits a place where Christmas is celebrated all year long.

Ann Endres first opened The Christmas House in 1997. Later, Endres was joined by her daughter Ann Marie Frazier. The store was dream for the two of them.

“Growing up, I was always mesmerized by the ladies gift wrapping and making bows at department stores,” Frazier recalled, in an email. “It’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do.”

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Since The Christmas House first opened, Southport has experienced tremendous growth. Frazier noted they used to close in January and February due to the lack of traffic in the store, but now they stay open year-round. She adds it also helps that the store offers something other than Christmas items.

“We have a huge candy store in the back, and we also decorate and make wreaths and bows for all holidays, plus (offer) lots of home decor and gifts,” Frazier said.

The store is quite busy this time of year with staff members hand-tying bows, making Christmas wreaths, and lots of folks shopping for ornaments and gifts. But there is no shortage of traffic, or sales, in the summer. Tourists visiting the area love to stop in and shop.

“They won’t be back for Christmas, so if they see something they love they will pick it up,” she said. “Also, we have a lot of families who make it a tradition to get an ornament each year while on vacation.”

Frazier said their most popular Christmas items are those with a beach theme.

The Christmas House is located at 104 West Moore St., Southport, and you can view the store’s catalog at www.thechristmashouse.com.