The basics:

• Spirit Christmas expands from a few sites to 30 pop-ups this season
• Stores will offer décor, apparel, gifts, inflatables & stocking stuffers
• Visitors can enjoy a peppermint village, free Santa meet-and-greets
• New Jersey locations include Cherry Hill, Paramus, Rockaway and more

Spirit Christmas – a new seasonal retail concept from Egg Harbor Township-based Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc. – is back.

After debuting last year with a handful of locations across the region, the Christmas-themed pop-up plans to quadruple its footprint with 30 spots for the upcoming holiday season, according to a Sept. 25 press release.

Along with a vast assortment of holiday décor, apparel, inflatables, gifts and stocking stuffers, Spirit Christmas will include an immersive in-store peppermint village experience.

Spirit Christmas will work with Cherry Hill Programs, an industry-leader in experiential holiday and souvenir photography, to offer interactive free meet-and-greets with Santa Claus. Photo packages are available for purchase.

Locally, Spirit Christmas expects to open in Cherry Hill, Lawrenceville, Mays Landing, Paramus, Rockaway and Toms River.

Outside of New Jersey, the company’s plans include:

• Two locations in Connecticut Milford, Manchester
• One location in Delaware Christiana
• Three locations in Illinois Bloomingdale, Joliet, Naperville
• Two locations in Indiana Fort Wayne, Merrillville
• One location in Kentucky Lexington
• One location in Maryland Waldorf
• Two locations in Massachusetts North Attleborough, Dartmouth
• Two locations in Michigan Grand Rapids, Novi
• One location in New Hampshire Salem
• Three locations in New York Amherst, Bohemia and Poughkeepsie
• Two locations in Ohio Mentor, North Canton
• Four locations in Pennsylvania Bethel Park, Erie, Pittsburgh and Whitehall

Starting Nov. 21, visitors can meet Santa for Christmas card photos. Sessions will run from 3–7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. on Saturday and noon–6 p.m. on Sunday.

Reservations can be made online through Dec. 24. Those who book early will receive $10 off a photo package, as well as a personalized video messages from Santa.

Considered the go-to place for costumes, props, accessories and decorations, Spirit Halloween expects to open more than 1,500 stores this spooky season. 

In a statement, company CEO Steven Silverstein said, “At Spirit, we believe the magic of the season does not end with Halloween – it transforms. Back by popular demand and with even more locations, Spirit Christmas is an extension of our sensory-rich, interactive holiday experiences. From our one-of-a-kind Santa photo experience to an exclusive collection of festive merchandise, we’re thrilled to welcome guests back for another unforgettable season of magic and fun.”

At Spirit, we believe the magic of the season does not end with Halloween – it transforms.
— Steven Silverstein, CEO, Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc.

Chris Landtroop, vice president of marketing & communications at Cherry Hill Programs, said they’re excited to partner again with Spirit Christmas “to create a joyful holiday experience for families.”

“Our collaboration brings together the excitement of holiday shopping with the magic of meeting Santa, ensuring guests have unforgettable moments to treasure for years to come,” she said.