While most people are still enjoying summer, Christmas begins in August for staff at the Greenland Garden Centre.
The garden centre, which is located east of Edmonton, transforms into a winter wonderland each year, with countless Christmas displays offering inspiration for anyone looking to decorate their home head-to-toe for the holidays.
Greenland Garden Centre/Facebook
Beyond the thoughtfully decorated displays of trees, wreaths, garlands, and ornaments, the site is also home to a festive light show that attracts thousands of visitors, a holiday market featuring local artisans and vendors, and its beloved Country Christmas event.
Greenland’s journey to becoming what it calls “Canada’s best Christmas store” began in 1992, when it started with just two small decorated trees. Today, it’s closer to 45.
We chatted with Greenland Co-founder Deb Sirman about how the business has grown into a holiday hotspot. She told us that planning starts in November of the year before.
“From the beginning, I wanted it to be a year-round destination,” she said.
Greenland Garden Centre/Facebook
That was especially important given the challenges of operating a garden centre in Alberta’s harsh winters. The Christmas store, restaurant, and seasonal events all help bring people through the doors during the colder months.
One of those events is Lights in the Park, which kicked off on Friday. The light display draws thousands of visitors, including groups arriving by the busload, with proceeds going to the food bank.
“The light show has attracted so many people, because every culture enjoys lights, even if they don’t celebrate Christmas, she said. “That’s exactly what our goal is: just get people to know us and keep us open on a year-round basis.”
“It’s a labour of love,” she added.
Other traditions include Country Christmas, which dates back to Greenland’s first holiday season in 1991. The event, which supports the Strathcona Christmas Bureau, features hay rides, cookie decorating, and marshmallow roasting.
If that isn’t enough to draw you in, the garden centre’s Christmas market brings local artisans and vendors together on Nov. 7 and 8 for a weekend of holiday shopping.
But while the market, lights, and decor give people more than enough reasons to visit, Sirman believes the personalized service is what really sets Greenland apart as the country’s best holiday destination.
“When people have a problem designing their tree, we will spend an hour or two helping them. There’s no extra charge for that.”
Greenland Garden Centre
Address:Ā 23108 Highway 16, Sherwood Park, Alta.