I don’t have many holiday traditions, but one thing I do catch myself doing annually, (for the holiday season) is visiting Potters Nursery. Their Christmas Store brings me into Surrey and I end up spending hours exploring their space. As soon as the pumpkins and turkeys are done, in moves Santa and his reindeer, and the nursery is transformed into a winter wonderland.
In its 19th year the 28,000-square-foot nursery has once again been converted into Western Canada’s largest Christmas store. This transformation from full-service garden centre in November to the annual holiday-kickoff, is tradition for many Lower Mainland residents.
Known for being your one stop Christmas shop, “The Christmas Store at Potters is the ultimate holiday haven for exquisite decorations, unique giftware, and specialty items. They boast designer trees and collectibles, thousands of hand-picked ornaments, 50 styles of Christmas stockings, and stocking stuffers.” They also hold an incredible selection of toys, jigsaw puzzles, games, and even gifts for those hard-to-buy-for adults”. (As taken from the press release).
And for those who have been, you know it isn’t just about shopping. This is family holiday experience with samples, demos, plenty to see, and even more to take photos of.
This year there are 30 themed Christmas trees throughout the store, “including two massive, constantly spinning upside-down trees that are loaded with white lights and decorations”. I loved the under the sea mermaid adventure one, and personally would have liked their black and white 60’s style marquee tree in my living room.
For those looking to visit, keep an eye out for the following themed sections (also taken from the press release).
Pretty in Pink: The new front entrance display greets guests with thousands of magical, glimmering pink and white ornaments, from floor to ceiling and around every corner.
Dark Room: More than 100 Christmas-themed water lanterns illuminate this 3,000-square-foot gallery spotlighting 75 different Christmas-themed canvas paintings.
Gourmet Food: This zone offers thousands of Canadian specialty products that are ideal for the holiday season – including must-have Potters Peach and Kentucky Bourbon sauce. Hot chocolate from Montreal’s Gourmet Village (more than 40 different colours and flavours); locally-made jellies, syrups, and sauces from Krause Berry Farms, The Preservatory, and Cranberries Naturally; and savoury, seasoned pretzels from Surrey-based Those Pretzels are among the delicacies.
Candyland: A section chock full of sweet ornaments for the tree includes donuts, gingerbread, cotton candy and many more treats for sweet tooths.
Petland: Bring furry friends holiday joy with pet-themed tree ornaments, cushions and stockings.
And for the first time this year, they have a handful of new and expanded sections.
Thru the Grapevine: A hit wine section from last year expands to include the world of drinks, from wine-themed ornaments to gifts for lovers of wine, beer and holiday tipples.
Coca-Cola: The beloved collectibles area has expanded into an authentic 1950s diner-themed display (right down to the classic checkered floor!) of Coca-Cola ornaments, figurines and more.
Men-Zone: A new area loaded with cool gifts he’ll love has everything from soaps, slippers and scarves to hot sauce (packed inside a stick of dynamite!), all in one place.
Great Britain: Find British-themed delights, including tinned cookies, Corgi mugs, and Royal tableware pieces, cleverly housed in a classic red telephone box.
MouseTown: A Potters favourite, this “town run by mice” has been completely redesigned and re-imagined this year. Kids of all ages will be immersed in the mini-ski lifts, cable cars and all sorts of other moving parts.
The Christmas Store at Potters is open daily through December 24 at 19158 48th Ave. in Surrey. potters.ca/christmas-store.
Hours:
Now through November 7: Daily, 9am – 6pm
November 8 – December 24:
Monday and Tuesday: 9am – 6pm
Wednesday to Friday: 9am – 7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 9am – 6pm
