Historical Christmas Barn Sells Unique Year-Round Items

Maybe you're looking for home decor, or maybe for a special gift for a friend, or maybe just to get ahead on your holiday shopping.

At the Historical Christmas Barn at Lambert House, employees Laraine Pascarella and Patty Smith had several suggestions for items that are unique and appropriate for most times of the year.

1. Trollbeads. The original charm bracelet is made up of handmade beads from Denmark with glass from Italy.
2. Wine bottle stoppers. "They're (vintage-looking) and they're made in the U.S.," Pascarella said. They come in many interesting shapes, such as sink faucets and candles.
3. Kitras Art Glass. The handmade glass balls are "another kind of unique year-round thing, not just Christmas," Pascarella said, and they come in many different colors.
4. Ornaments from all over the world. Smith said that "one is Germany, (and we have) Swedish ornaments," as well as ornaments from Poland. Christmas Barn also carries the Patricia Breen line, which is only available in about a dozen stores in the U.S.
5. Byers Choice Carolers. Pascarella said though not many places carry them, Christmas Barn has them all year long.
   
6. Hot Swash have "real pumpkin stems," Pascarella said, and are made of velvet fabric and stuffed with rice. She added that they're a popular buy.
7. Department 56 villages. Christmas Barn carries several different series of the villages, such as Dickens and the original Snow Village, which each have many pieces. Pascarella said Halloween is one of the most popular series.