Grand Opening of Christmas on the Hill

Mark your calendar, gather up your family and friends; everyone is invited to this Grand Opening of Christmas on the Hill, Friday and Saturday, July 16-17, in Athens, Tenn. I could not be more excited for Lane and Faye Million, owners of this new shop in Athens. Lane Million told me he’d always dreamed of having his own Christmas shop like one in Pigeon Forge or North Georgia, keeping it stocked and decorated year round with your favorite Christmas decor for inside and out.

The Millions have both been in retail for years. Faye started selling antiques and uniques about 20 years ago, and Lane began with his dad refinishing furniture over 30 years ago. Lane began picking and selling furniture and antiques through seven booths he once had in Sweetwater, and his mother helped him sell at the Sweetwater Flea Market for several years. He ran an antique store in Etowah, and has bought and sold at auctions for a number of years. For the last 13 years, Lane and Faye have had Affordable Used Furniture, located a block north of the location of their new store at 712 White Street.

Christmas on the Hill is located at 904 South White St., also known as Hwy 30 East. The shop is inside of a historic brick house on the hill – just look for the pretty dark blue sign. Lane said, “Christmas is the BEST time of the year,” and he honors his mother’s memory through this Christmas store. “She loved Christmas and always had a large gathering of 20 or more each Christmas to celebrate and remember the real reason for Christmas, our Savior’s birth.”

Lane and Faye are excited to have this dream become reality. Lane told me, “Our shop will offer folks in Athens and surrounding areas a Christmas store where they can purchase all kinds of Christmas decor, collectibles and gifts, without having to travel a couple of hours to look for them, and our prices will save them some money as well. We will have something for everyone’s budget.”

They have numerous selections from well known artists like Karen Didion, Jim Shore, Aubrey’s Home Decor, Byers Choice, Dept 56 and others. You will find every color, style and size of ornaments, nutcrackers, stockings, pillows, lots farm and country Christmas themed items, candy Christmas themes, beautiful snow owls, squirrels, rabbits, penguins and beautiful buffalo print Christmas themed decor. They have a great selection of pet ornaments and collectibles like sea shells with puppies and kittens inside them. There’s three and four foot bears that look great outdoors on patios. You’ll find Mrs. Claus’s Bake Shop with gingerbread and candy houses and elves playing. There’s gorgeous 25-day calendars with windows that open on each day as children count down to Christmas. I saw tea pot ornaments, beautiful Christmas china, all kinds and colors of ribbon, even different designs of burlap ribbon. There’s lots of flock, wreaths of different sizes – some light up; also an immense number of Santas and trees and even the Grinch can be found hanging out here! You will not be disappointed as you go back again and again. They have so much that you will want to start a collection or a new family tradition with a Christmas or snow village, snow men, snow-covered churches or an amazing carolers collection.

The Grand Opening will be 10 to 6 on the July 16-17. There will be a drawing for a cash prize, and something special for the first 25 (for the date we celebrate Christmas). You’re going to enjoy this shop from the time you drive up to the door and walk in, until you walk out with some favorite Christmas decor and gifts. The Millions commissioned an artist to paint Christmas scenes on all the windows of the shop, and murals on some of the walls. There’s too much for me to give more details; we want you to enjoy the surprise! You’ll get into the early Christmas spirit with music playing and the many snow scenes and Christmas lights. It might just put you in that sweet, gentle mood like it does on a snow-covered Christmas morn. Share the date and come and enjoy this new store.

Christmas on the Hill is located at 904 S. White Street/Hwy 30 East, just a block south of Taco Bell, on the right or if traveling west on Hwy 30, it’s a half block pass the McMinn County Sheriff’s office, on the left. After opening, their hours will be Tuesday – Friday 10-6, and Sat 10-5. Call if you need directions coming into town at 423-333-7102.

By Maxine B Jones, Ocoee, Tennessee