christmas in october: roger's gardens

Christmas should be like the Olympics--held every four years. Then, like the recent 2012 Summer Olympics, when Christmas finally rolls around, we could work ourselves up into a fever pitch enjoying it. I am the last person you would expect to remind anyone, that the holidays are right around the corner.

Sorry to disappoint. But the holidays really are right around the corner. And, the infamous Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California opened their Christmas Boutique, The Magic of Christmas, on October 1st. Relax, Costco has had Christmas up since August at least.


Roger's hasn't even put away Halloween yet. The two holidays compete on opposite ends of the grounds. What can you get at Roger's for Christmas? Everything. Anything. But as I've mentioned previously, it will cost you.

The store has 25 trees, according to the Daily Pilot:

With different themes — some covered in seashell ornaments, others with crystals and silver and another with pinks and blues for babies. 

Coordinated trees where all the ornaments make sense and go together? Now there is a novel idea. I'll never achieve it but certainly can appreciate. Here is a sample. My favorite is first; it is called Crystal and Ice.

Mid-Century Trivia: Roger's has some secrets and unique features in the midst of all its plants, baubles and bows. There is a beautiful bandstand smack dab in the middle of the property. Few know that this historical bandstand came from Disneyland's Main Street, and was part of Disneyland on opening day July 1955. From Davelandblog:

This Bandstand/Gazebo has a very active history with Disneyland. Originally slated to be smack-dab in the middle of Town Square, Walt and his team realized shortly before opening that it would block the view of the Castle, thus ruining the perfect cinematic “long-shot” one would get looking down Main Street. So, it was quickly decided to move it to the left of the Castle, where it would be home to Vesey Walker & The Disneyland Band. 

Compliments of HistoryonAir

This tree is filled with pretty sparkly things. That is the best I can do.

This one is called Shell Grotto.

This tree features ornaments from the Eric Cortina collection. Eric is Roger's in-house designer. His stuff tends to be a little bizarre and sometimes macabre. I like it.

Another odd Roger's fact: it was founded by Gavin Herber Sr. who also founded a multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical company, Allergan, Inc. Gavin's son, Gavin Herbert Jr. oversees and runs Roger's today. The son was the one responsible for differentiating Roger's from big box stores, by focusing on high margin, high end decorating items and unique plants. From Overpromise and Overdeliver: How to Design and Deliver Extraordinary Customer Experiences (Google eBook)

Unable--and unwilling--to compete on price, Herbert made an over promise  He decided to make his nursery...visually entrancing, filled with unique objects for sale. ... Herbert recognized that he would have to provide more than just flowers. He created an elegant environment, a place where [customers] would feel at home. He organized educational activities and fund-raisers that addressed customers' feelings of self-worth. And he sold products that would appeal to their upscale tastes.

This explains a lot.

Back to Christmas in October. This strange tree must be some sort of tribute to Vegas.

More elegant and expensive Christmas decor items.

The store is a spectacle. It is a MUST visit if you are anywhere close to the area.

 You got your Waterford.

More from the eBook:

The staff goes to great lengths to create incredible holiday displays and products at Halloween and Christmas, which attract visitors and customers from around the country--250,000 during the fourth quarter of the year. Roger's decorates 20+ Christmas trees, for example, each of which has an individual theme and up to 2,000 color-coordinated ornaments. Half of its income is now derived from that three-month period.

 Traditional Christmas items, lined up and ready to be taken home.

The ornament selection is to die for! You can get anything you want. What little boy wouldn't love his very own Brontosaurus?

Next follows something that I am tempted by every single year. I adore these balls and trees made out of jewelry by Margaret Larkin.  They are SOOOO expensive. The balls are $300 or $400 or something like that. A decent sized tree is $1,000. I stare at them -- could I make this? The eBay jewelry accumulation alone would  kill me. Nah, who am I kidding?

Jewelry orb.

The pink watch tree. Too cute or what?

Wonderful, huh? I like the cross tree a lot. In the spirit of the season and all.

Look at the flag tree on the right. Maybe Olympic pins? What a great idea for a pin collection.

I should have taken a better picture of the green tree on the right. That may be the one (in my dreams).

This bear has a sign which says "Purchase Your Very Own royal Wedding Muffy." Maybe the Aussies or Brits reading this can explain to me.

These are my mid-century modern entries. Traditional tree toppers.

Beautiful little fish ornament caught my eye.

 How cute is this? Who wouldn't say yes?

These decorations are very vintage, extremely creepy and not super Christmasy. Made from old toys and cans. You could use these on the set of American Horror Story. Asylum started last night. Why oh why do I love all things that terrify me?

Okay, last amazing Roger's fact. The founder of Roger's, Gavin Herbert Sr., owns Nixon's San Clemente Western White House. Bet the landscaping has been kept in rare form.

Nixon's San Clemente Western White House from Wikipedia

The bizarre Eric Cortina ornament collection (Roger's inhouse desinger).

Little pink faeries next to some wedding cake slices. I know a bride who may like the wedding cake ornament. Roger's is GREAT for event ornaments like weddings, anniversaries, births, etc.

Birds in my Christmas tree would bug me a little.

 Not a great picture, but Roger's has ALL the Radko's you could ever want.

The true HOT tip for the locals, is go scout out Roger's before Christmas. Then on December 26, hop out of bed, grab your Starbucks and go wait online at about 8AM. The doors will open at 9AM for 50% off. Yay!

Roger's Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The shop is located at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road.

Related Posts:

• Retro Ornament Christmas Wreath by Georgia Peachez
• Mid-Century Halloween at Roger's Gardens
• The Great Christmas Tree Fake Debate