Exploring the Christmas Haus Near Gettysburg

Exploring German Christmas Traditions at the Christmas Haus

The Christmas Haus near Gettysburg is a one-of-a-kind marketplace for German-made Christmas ornaments, decorations, and accessories!

Everything for sale at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford is imported directly from Germany.
Everything for sale at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford is imported directly from Germany.

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.

Christmas trees decorated with just some of the thousands of German decorations available to purchase at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Christmas trees decorated with just some of the thousands of German decorations available to purchase.

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!

Wooden Christmas decorations from Germany at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Wooden Christmas decorations from Germany.

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 buildings that make up the Christmas Haus in New Oxford date back to the 1890s.
The Christmas Haus is located at 110 Lincoln Way West, New Oxford, PA 17350.

The three buildings that make up the New Oxford location of the Christmas Haus are meant to resemble a German village.

The three buildings that make up the New Oxford location of the Christmas Haus are meant to resemble a German village.
The three buildings that make up the New Oxford location of the Christmas Haus date back to the 1880s.

The Christmas Haus is open 7 days a week, from 10 am-5 pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and New Year’s Day).

The Christmas Haus is open 361 days a year.
The Christmas Haus is open 361 days a year.

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.

The Christmas Haus features an enormous selection of German Christmas ornaments.
The shop features an enormous selection of German Christmas ornaments.

Glass ornaments are a big part of the inventory, and there are literally thousands to choose from.

Fine German glass Christmas ornaments are one of the most popular items at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Fine German glass Christmas ornaments are one of the most popular items at the Christmas Haus.

Nutcrackers are another item you’ll find in abundance.

Wooden nutcrackers at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Wooden nutcrackers.

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.

Glass Christmas tree toppers at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Glass Christmas tree toppers.

“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.

Smokers are a type of incense burner popular with Germans at Christmas.
Smokers are a type of incense burner popular with Germans at Christmas.

German lace decorations were another item I knew nothing about until I visited the Christmas Haus, intricately woven versions of popular holiday scenes.

German lace Christmas decorations at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
German lace Christmas decorations.

You’ll also find all sorts of educational tidbits tucked in and around the items for sale.

History of the Christmas Tree at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
History of the Christmas Tree.

The Christmas tree you’re no doubt aware of; Krampus you may not be.

The Legend of Krampus at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
The Legend of Krampus.

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.

Krampus figurine at the Christmas Haus in New Oxford Pennsylvania.
Krampus figurine.

I’ve only scratched the surface in this article – there is SO much more to see in person at the Christmas Haus!

The Christmas Haus in New Oxford has been open since 2002.
The Christmas Haus in New Oxford has been open since 2002.

You can visit the Christmas Haus in New Oxford, at their second location in downtown Gettysburg, or online at their OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

Christmas-themed beer steins at he Christmas Haus near Gettysburg Pennsylvania.
Christmas-themed beer steins at the Christmas Haus.

The 9 Most-Christmassy Places in PA Road Trip visits nine PA destinations where the Christmas spirit runs strong, year after year.

The 9 Most Christmassy Places in Pennsylvania Road Trip.
A road trip to nine of the most-Christmassy destinations in Pennsylvania.

20 of the Best Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays in PA shows you 20 festive light displays you can enjoy from the comfort (and warmth) of your vehicle!

The Best Drive Thru Christmas Light Displays in Pennsylvania.
Some of the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in PA.

12 of the Best Walk-Thru Christmas Light Displays in PA is a list of 12 exceptional walk-through Christmas light displays from across PA, complete with links to each attraction’s official website.

The best walk-through Christmas light displays in PA.
Some of the best walk-thru Christmas light displays in PA.

The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show is one of the largest Christmas shows in the United States!

The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex takes place from November 29th through December 3rd in 2023.
The Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex takes place from November 29th through December 3rd in 2023.

11 Must-See Attractions in Gettysburg is your guide to some of the best historical attractions in and around Gettysburg.

10 must-see attractions in Gettysburg Pennsylvania.
Scenes from historic Gettysburg.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.