Your guide to quaint holiday shopping + festivities in Morgan County
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Santa is shopping small this year, and he’s sending his elves to stock up in this charming North AL town.
From tree lightings to Christmas gift guides, the Morgan County area is proving itself to be a holiday destination—keep reading to see why.
Reasons to holiday shop in MoCo
1. Spice up your gift-giving by shopping small
There’s something about being in a new city that incites creative gift-giving. While there’s plenty to choose from in your hometown, you can find countless unique locally-owned business you can only find by traveling a town or so away.
Shop open houses + markets
You’re just in time! The Decatur Open House is TONIGHT with more this weekend and next.
- Small Business Christmas Open House: live music, Christmas carols, light show + late business hours
- Thursday, Nov 14 | 5-8PM | Downtown Decatur
- Christmas Market: vendors, local crafters
- Friday, Nov 15 | 12-6PM | Decatur First United Methodist
- Cook’s Museum Store Open House: shop the Museum store complete with free giftwrapping
- Nov 21-23 | 9-5PM | Cook’s Museum
Holiday gift guide
Need some gift ideas? Here are a few suggestions you can find at local business around Morgan County.
- For the VINTAGE lover: Classic vinyl records from Urban Atlas (Decatur)
- For the ARTSY (+SENTIMENTAL) friend: Custom portrait from Deann’s Art Studio (Decatur)
- For the BEER lover: Local craft beer 6-pack from Cross Eyed Owl Brewery (Decatur)
- For the TRENDY friend: Accessories from Turqouise Turtle (Trinity)
- For the BOOK reader: A novel from Southern Peach Book Store (Hartselle)
- Find 19 more gift ideas in Decatur-Morgan County Tourism’s Gift Guide
Where to shop
I recently discovered several cute gift shops in the Decatur area while exploring their Mural Trail. Here are some shops you can’t miss:
- The Beehive Bathhouse: handcrafted bath + body products
- The Cupboard: area’s leading kitchen store featuring cookbooks, kitchenware, local art + more
- Shops on 2nd Ave: 39 unique shops stocked with locally-made goods
- Click here to view a full breakdown of shops based on gift type
2. Check out charming small-town holiday events
Add MoCo’s tree lighting, Tour of Homes and movies at the Princess Theater to your holiday list. (Decatur Morgan County Tourism)
There’s plenty of Christmas cheer to go around with Morgan County’s packed holiday event calendar. Check out some of their upcoming small-town celebrations while you’re doing your holiday shopping.
Historic Christmas Tour of Homes
Explore beautifully adorned homes in the historic district during the Tour of Homes. Feel like you’re on the set of a Hallmark movie and take in the beauty of the holiday season decor.
- When: Saturday, Dec 14 from 2-7PM
- Get tickets ($35)
Christmas Tree Lightings
What’s more magical than watching Christmas be literally brought to life? Check out their local tree lightings:
- Decatur: Thursday, Nov 14 at 5:30PM at Alabama Center for the Arts
- Hartselle: Saturday, Nov 16 from 5-6PM at EARTH Park
- Eva: Saturday, Nov 30 at 6PM at Shorty Ryan Park
- Falkville: Sunday, Dec 1 at 4PM at Jack McCaig Park
- Priceville: Monday, Dec 7 from 5-8PM
Christmas movies at Princess Theater
Get your popcorn for this more vibrant take on the movie theater with classic Christmas movie showings and performances at the Princess Theater.
Christmas Parades
If you wait ’til after Thanksgiving to celebrate, you can kick off the season with a Christmas parade:
- Eva Christmas Parade: Saturday, Nov 30 at 4:30 PM
- Young Professionals of Decatur Lights, Camera, Christmas: Monday, Dec 2 at 6PM
- Trinity Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec 7 at 10AM
- The City of Priceville Park and Recreation’s Annual Shelia Smith Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec 7 at 2PM
- Falkville Christmas Parade: Tuesday, Dec 9 at 3PM
- Hartselle Christmas Parade Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Hartselle: Thursday, Dec 12 at 7pm
3. Make the most of your merry trip
Let the holiday cheer beging. (Decatur Morgan County Tourism)
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or not, Decatur Morgan County Tourism has countless visitors’ resources to plan your outing.
If you’re looking for the best time to visit, this weekend will be packed with holiday shopping opportunities! Check out their full holiday calendar to plan a day trip around your favorite events.
My tips
- COFFEE: If you want a taste of home while you’re shopping, may I recommend The Mallard Coffee serving Birmingham’s June coffee.
- DINING: I love Big Bob Gibson (AKA home of White Sauce), but you can reference this local eats guide for more options
- MURAL TRAIL: Get a free t-shirt + learn some fun facts by exploring the murals around Morgan County (some are even on gift shops)
Decatur Morgan County Tourism is ready to welcome you this holiday season.
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