Christmas Tree Shops

[Fan2CSkr]

Does anyone have one nearby to them? Visit one?

Each year we make a trip from NY taking the ferry over to CT to shop, shop and shop! We go to the one in Orange, CT after that we head to Cracker Barrel for more shopping and lunch! We fill an SUV and sometimes need to tie things to the roof. Our annual trip is close approaching and I can't wait!

So if anyone does go have you been to any others for comparision? Are they all the same or some better than others? Thanks!

 

[debster812]

This is so funny to me. I live 20 minutes from the Tree Shop warehouse, drive by one to get to work every day, and live within 30 minutes of another one.

The 2 near me are pretty similar in what they carry.

Hope you enjoy your shopping expedition.

 

[ToTLaugher]

I am heading to my Christmas Tree Shop this afternoon. I go almost every Monday. I used to live 5 minutes from one. I now live about 15 minutes from this one. I also visit some of the stores on the Cape. (I didn't realize how spoiled I am!)

Yes, some are better than others. It really seems to depend on their size. I also find that what they have to offer can really vary. Some days I could buy out the store and other days I find only my staples.

Enjoy your trip! This time of year is fun because there is so much home decore for the upcoming holidays! Enjoy the Cracker Barrel too. That is a much longer ride for me, but they are starting to come this way.

 

[Trish Bessette]

There is one just across the street from where I work. I go often on my lunch hours. It is a great place!! Happy shopping.

 

[4cruisin]

I have a CTS about 10 minutes away. I used to go there almost every week (much to dh's dismay ) but since they were bought out by the parent company of Bed, Bath & Beyond, I don't care for the store as much as I used to.

I went there primarily to get real bargains and stuff that I couldn't get anywhere else. Now, they seem a little more like a Home Goods and the prices have gone up.

Just my $0.02

 

[ChrizJen]

Never heard of them...

 

[RSoxFan]

I live within ten minutes of two of them. There's another about half an hour away. And I go to the Cape ones a lot on the weekends (in the fall, once the tourists leave!)

They're all pretty much standard in what they offer. You just have to hit it right. Sometimes you get nothing; other times you drop a small fortune. Last March I found beautiful wine glasses hand painted with shamrocks. They were 99 cents each!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I have a CTS about 10 minutes away. I used to go there almost every week (much to dh's dismay ) but since they were bought out by the parent company of Bed, Bath & Beyond, I don't care for the store as much as I used to.

I went there primarily to get real bargains and stuff that I couldn't get anywhere else. Now, they seem a little more like a Home Goods and the prices have gone up.

Just my $0.02

When did they get bought out? Thanks! To me its a great place to get all my wrapping goods and teachers, bus drivers, religion teachers and hostesses gifts!

Thanks for the happy shopping wishes everyone

 

[4cruisin]

When did they get bought out? Thanks! To me its a great place to get all my wrapping goods and teachers, bus drivers, religion teachers and hostesses gifts!

Thanks for the happy shopping wishes everyone

They were privately owned up until about 12 to 18 months ago. Then they were sold to the same company as BB&B. They still have good bargains on some things but you have to hit them just right. I go there for Christmas stuff like wrapping paper and extra ornaments and such. Dh is thrilled that I don't shop there as much as I used to.

 

[luvmyeor]

My friend took me to two of the stores in MA this summer. Some of the merchandise was the same but I thought one of the stores was better than the other. I only wish we had a store near us!

 

[Mickey527]

The CTS in Orange is one of the bigger ones that I know of in CT. there is one in Manchester that is about 3/4 of the size of the Orange one.
I go to Natick, MA about once a year and they have a CTS that has quite a few things different than our store in Orange. I try and go to our store a few days before I go to Natick and then buy what I can't find in CT.
Your story of going on a trip just to shop there reminds me of the commercials they used to show for CTS. That is too funny that someone actually does make the trip. Peggie
PS, last week I got huge chrysthamums in 8" pots for $2.99 each that were ready to bloom. Some of the flowers opened this week and it has tons of blooms that will pop within the next week or two. I bought one the day before at Stop and Shop for $6.99 and it was already in full bloom.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

There's one near me. My brother used to work there. It's okay. Always waaaay too crowded though lol.

 

[Crankyshank]

There are 2 of them about 20min from me in opposite directions. They're ok. I used to monitor their network and that turned me off (it's actually be closer to 3yrs since they were bought out - it was a huge PITA to merge their networks).

I go there on occasion, but I prefer the one in W.Yarmouth. It's just too much of a scary experience around here with old ladies that don't know how to work the carriage and block the aisles.

 

[Hedy]

We go every few months and spend waaay too much money there.
I was worried when they were bought out, but I haven't noticed a difference.

 

[Dismom+two]

I have one thats about 5 minutes from home. My wonderful sister-in-law works there and if need be I can get her discount. I don't normally ask her but I know its there if I need it. I really don't go very often.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I have one thats about 5 minutes from home. My wonderful sister-in-law works there and if need be I can get her discount. I don't normally ask her but I know its there if I need it. I really don't go very often.

That reminds me! Last year as I was making my way to the register a sweet elderly man approached me and asked if I would like his friends and family coupon! It was a very nice savings.

Mickey527 - Thanks for the CT store info. Lots of people from my area make the yearly trip Now if they would only open one closer to me!

 

[Linda/MA]

Never heard of them...

Christmas Tree Shops started on Cape Cod and have slowly expanded New England, NY, and NJ. Their slogan is "Don't you just love a bargain." It's a fun store to shop in. I used to love to go and get all kinds of holiday decorations at real cheap prices. It's also good for picture frames, wrapping paper and gift bags, all kinds of home decorating stuff. Whenever you go to a shower or some kind of big party around here, you can bet the centerpieces and/or the favors came from the Christmas Tree Shop. I have a dear friend who lives in Dallas and everytime she comes to visit, we have to make our pilgrimage to the CTS.

 

[LisaB]

When this thread started I started singing the Jiggle. I picked up a scrapbooking tote for 9.99 that had to be at least 40 in Micheals or AC Moore. They also had the apple martini and cosmo mix for a $1 great Christmas gift with martini glasses

 

[Fan2CSkr]

When this thread started I started singing the Jiggle. I picked up a crapbooking tote for 9.99 that had to be at least 40 in Micheals or AC Moore. They also had the apple martini and cosmo mix for a $1 great Christmas gift with martini glasses

OK, I had to read "crapbooking" tote over a few times before it clicked, scrapbooking!
Last year they had beautiful painted martini glasses and I made a basket with a martini theme from them as a gift!

I do have a habit of buying more decorations than I could possible use but some are so cute!

 

[LisaB]

Oh my God that is so funny I have changed it