Who says Christmas only comes once a year? In Lincoln City, Oregon, there’s a little shop where the holiday season never really ends. Whether you’re visiting in December, July, or somewhere in between, the Christmas Cottage keeps the festive spirit going all year long.
Located along Highway 101 in Lincoln City’s historic Nelscott District, this beloved Christmas store is filled with thousands of ornaments, holiday decorations, and unique gifts. It’s one of those places you might drive past on your way to the beach, only to discover that it’s worth making a special stop.
If you’re looking for unique shopping experiences in Lincoln City, the Christmas Cottage deserves a spot on your itinerary.
What is the Christmas Cottage in Lincoln City?
The Christmas Cottage is a year-round Christmas store located at 3305 SW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, Oregon. Unlike seasonal holiday shops that open for a few months each year, this store celebrates Christmas 363 days a year, closing only for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Inside, visitors will find an impressive collection of approximately 25,000 different ornaments, along with decorations, collectibles, and gifts from around the world.
The store has become a recognizable Lincoln City landmark, with its bright pink exterior and Santa figures perched on the roof. It’s difficult to miss, even if you’re visiting the Oregon Coast in the middle of summer.
For Christmas enthusiasts, ornament collectors, and anyone who enjoys browsing unusual local shops, it’s a destination in its own right.
A Lincoln City Christmas tradition since the 1970s
The Christmas Cottage has been part of the Oregon Coast shopping scene for more than 50 years.
Its story began with founder Barbe Jenkins-Gibson, who opened a specialty dollhouse shop in Portland in 1974. After discovering the growing market for Christmas ornaments, she expanded her business to Lincoln City, eventually concentrating entirely on Christmas merchandise.
Over the decades, the store has survived challenges, including a devastating fire in 1994. Rather than closing permanently, the business rebuilt and reopened approximately 90 days later.
In 1999, an expansion doubled the store’s size, making room for an even larger selection of holiday merchandise.
Today, the Christmas Cottage remains an independently operated Lincoln City business and a longstanding tradition for Oregon Coast visitors.
What can you buy at the Christmas Cottage?
The Christmas Cottage is best known for its enormous ornament collection, but there’s much more to explore than traditional red and green decorations.
Christmas ornaments for nearly every interest
With thousands of ornaments available, shoppers can find designs reflecting hobbies, occupations, animals, sports, musical instruments, favorite foods, and family milestones.
Looking for an ornament featuring your favorite animal? There’s a good chance you’ll find something. Want to commemorate a wedding, new baby, graduation, or special vacation? The store has plenty of options for meaningful keepsakes.
One particularly popular feature is personalized ornaments. Staff can add names and dates to suitable ornaments, allowing visitors to create a souvenir that marks a special occasion.
It’s an especially fun tradition for families who visit Lincoln City every year and want to add a new memory to their Christmas tree.
Oregon Coast and beach-themed ornaments
You don’t have to choose between beach vacation souvenirs and Christmas decorations.
The Christmas Cottage has offered ocean-inspired ornaments featuring marine life, coastal scenery, and other beach-related themes.
These make memorable souvenirs from a Lincoln City getaway. Instead of purchasing another refrigerator magnet, you can bring home an ornament that reminds you of the Oregon Coast every December.
For visitors who make annual trips to Lincoln City, collecting a different beach-themed ornament each year could become a tradition of its own.
European glass ornaments and German nutcrackers
The store also specializes in decorative pieces from around the world, including delicate European glass ornaments and traditional German nutcrackers.
Glass ornaments come in an assortment of shapes, colors, and styles, making them appealing to collectors and shoppers looking for something beyond standard holiday decorations.
German nutcrackers are another specialty, offering a traditional Christmas decoration that can be displayed year after year.
Holiday decorations and collectibles
Beyond ornaments, the Christmas Cottage carries a variety of seasonal merchandise, including:
- Santa Claus figurines
- Angels and nativity decorations
- Christmas tree toppers
- Holiday greeting cards and stationery
- Collectible figurines
- Christmas puzzles and gifts
The selection includes both traditional Christmas designs and more unusual items, making the store enjoyable even if you’re simply browsing.
A Christmas store that’s open in the summer
One of the most unusual things about the Christmas Cottage is that you can visit it during practically any Oregon Coast vacation.
Planning a beach trip in August? You can shop for Christmas ornaments afterward.
Visiting Lincoln City during spring break? The Santas are still there.
Taking a fall getaway before the holiday rush? It’s a great opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping.
Because the store operates throughout the year, you don’t have to plan your vacation around a seasonal opening.
And if you’re someone who likes to finish holiday shopping early, picking up a few gifts during your summer vacation certainly beats navigating crowded stores in December.
Why the Christmas Cottage is worth visiting
There are plenty of places to purchase Christmas ornaments, but not many offer the experience of browsing a dedicated Christmas shop in the middle of a coastal vacation.
Part of the appeal is the sheer variety. Rather than offering a small seasonal display, the Christmas Cottage organizes thousands of ornaments into different themes, making it possible to find something that reflects nearly any personality or interest.
It’s also a good destination for gifts that feel more personal than the usual vacation souvenirs.
Whether you’re shopping for a family member, adding to an ornament collection, or simply curious about a store devoted entirely to Christmas, there’s plenty to explore.
You don’t even need to be particularly enthusiastic about Christmas to appreciate the novelty of finding such an extensive holiday collection along Highway 101.
Explore the Nelscott District while you’re there
The Christmas Cottage is located in one of Lincoln City’s historic shopping neighborhoods, making it easy to combine your visit with a few other local stops.
Nearby, you’ll find Robert’s Bookshop, a longtime favorite for browsing used books, and Rock Your World, a shop featuring crystals, gemstones, and jewelry. Christmas Cottage is also conveniently located near a few wonderful local restaurants including the Nelscott Breakfast House, La Roca Mexican Restaurant, and Gabi’s Hot Fried Chicken.
The Nelscott area also offers access to one of Lincoln City’s popular stretches of beach, so you can spend part of your day exploring local shops before heading toward the Pacific Ocean.
It’s a nice change of pace from a beach-focused itinerary, especially for visitors who enjoy discovering independently owned businesses.
Is the Christmas Cottage worth visiting with kids?
The Christmas Cottage can be a fun stop for families, particularly children who enjoy Christmas decorations, Santa Claus, and choosing special ornaments.
With so many different themes represented, kids may enjoy looking for ornaments featuring their favorite animals, activities, or hobbies.
You could even start a vacation tradition by letting each child choose one ornament to commemorate the trip.
Just keep in mind that the store carries many delicate glass ornaments and collectibles, so younger children may need extra supervision while browsing.
Make the Christmas Cottage part of your Lincoln City getaway
A visit to Lincoln City doesn’t have to be all beach walks and ocean views, although those are certainly good reasons to come.
The Christmas Cottage offers something a little different: a chance to browse thousands of holiday decorations, discover unusual gifts, and experience a bit of Christmas cheer regardless of the season.
When you’re ready to return to the beach, Sea Gypsy Rentals offers oceanfront condos in the heart of Lincoln City, complete with direct beach access, full kitchens, and an indoor heated pool and sauna.
Spend the afternoon exploring local shops, find an ornament to remember your trip, and return to your oceanfront condo for an evening overlooking the Pacific.
After all, there’s nothing wrong with combining a little Christmas shopping with a beach vacation. To learn more about the Christmas Cottage in Lincoln City, visit their website at christmascottage.net.
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