Before the Halloween candy was put on sale, boutiques in Auburn were getting ready for the holidays.
Storefronts along South College Street and Magnolia Avenue began to look a lot like Christmas when October rolled around. Windows were decorated with trees, wreaths and lights lining downtown.
While customers are shopping for gifts at places like The Villager, Moxii and Wrapsody, owners say shoppers can buy home decorations not found at big box stores.
"Just about everything we have is handmade by American artists," said Ingrid Brown, owner of The Villager. "So we try not to be dictated by what's going on in the marketplace."
The Villager began stocking up on 2011 holiday items even before the new year.
"We pick a year in advance what we want our themes to be, so it's not based on what the marketplace themes are," Brown said.
The small business wastes no time in getting ready for the holidays.
"We actually put it out for football season because a lot of our customers come into town for football season," Brown said. "So probably, I'd say, end of September."
Brown said handpicking her products directly from the artists gives The Villager an edge over other stores.
People looking to purchase other festive decor have been visiting Wrapsody for things like wreaths and lawn ornaments.
Amanda Martin from Atlanta has been buying her holiday items in Auburn the past five years.
"I just think they have a good variety and just neat stuff--stuff you don't find if you go to the department store," Martin said.
Kendall Clark, senior in interior design and Wrapsody employee, said the store carries something for every style, from traditional ornaments in reds and greens to lake-style decorations, which have a handmade look and are usually painted on tin and garnished with flowers.
"We have a very large variety," Clark said. "Anything you really want, I think Wrapsody has it."
Like other boutiques, Clark said Wrapsody prepares for the holiday rush early by ordering products the January before.
"Literally, it's a year-long process," Clark said.
She said ornaments this holiday season are trending back to a traditional, homemade look.
But Auburn-themed decorations are never out of style at The Villager, Brown said.
"This year the Toomer's Oak ornament is one that's really popular," she said.
With football traffic and downtown Auburn's Blue Friday adding customers to the busy holiday season, Clark said sales have been consistent.
"We do well," Clark said. "I mean, obviously on the weekends with gameday it's a lot bigger sales, but we still have people come in for gift towels or Dirty Santa gifts."
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