The Christmas Haus near Gettysburg is a one-of-a-kind marketplace for German-made Christmas ornaments, decorations, and accessories!
Whether you were aware of it or not, many of our favorite Christmas traditions in America, including Christmas trees, Christmas ornaments, Advent calendars, and tinsel, all trace their roots back to Germany.
The Christmas Haus buys their merchandise direct from the craftspeople and manufacturers in Germany, some of which have been in the “Christmas business” for many hundreds of years!
Visiting the Christmas Haus
The Christmas Haus is conveniently located right along the historic Lincoln Highway in New Oxford, 9 miles east of Gettysburg.
The three buildings that make up the New Oxford location of the Christmas Haus are meant to resemble a German village.
The Christmas Haus is open 7 days a week, from 10 am-5 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and New Year’s Day).
What You’ll See at the Christmas Haus
Each building is packed to the brim with German Christmas items you’ll find at few other places in the United States.
Glass ornaments are a big part of the inventory, and there are literally thousands to choose from.
Nutcrackers are another item you’ll find in abundance.
The glass tree toppers definitely have a retro vibe to them, where angels and stars seem to be the more common “modern” Christmas tree topper.
“Smokers” are an item that I hadn’t heard of before, Christmas-themed incense burners that apparently are quite popular in Germany, based on how many variations of them are available at the Christmas Haus.
German lace decorations were another item I knew nothing about until I visited the Christmas Haus, intricately woven versions of popular holiday scenes.
You’ll also find all sorts of educational tidbits tucked in and around the items for sale.
The Christmas tree you’re no doubt aware of; Krampus you may not be.
Easily one of my favorite Christmas characters (and precursor to Belsnickel, made famous by Dwight Schrute on the “Dwight Christmas” episode of The Office), I was glad to see Krampus well-represented at the Christmas Haus.
I’ve only scratched the surface in this article – there is SO much more to see in person at the Christmas Haus!
You can visit the Christmas Haus in New Oxford, at their second location in downtown Gettysburg, or online at their OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
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