By Dawn Pearson
Since 1967, a little place called “Anything Christmas” has been helping Zionsville residents to deck the halls and find the sparkle for Christmas.
Anyone who would dare ask “What is ‘Anything Christmas’?” probably isn’t from around here.
Anything Christmas is Watt’s Christmas Trees and Sparkle Shop, which is now at a new location, 165 W. Sycamore St. in Zionsville.
The original Watt’s Christmas Tree Farm on Hunt Club Road was sold several years ago, but the Watt family is still in business.
Deborah Watt, now the owner, dug up her roots and moved to the old Calico Corners location last fall along with the Sparkle Shop and their famous train store. This past year the train shop was sold. It is now Zionsville Train Depot located at 5082 W. 106th St.
Most of the trees purchased throughout the years from the Hunt Club location were brought in from other states because Indiana isn’t conducive for the favorite types that make the best Christmas trees according to Watt.
“We weren’t selling that many trees off the farm grown in Indiana anyway, most people want all the fur trees,” Watt said. “Indiana grows spruce, pine, scotch and white pine trees.”
She added most people want the fragrant fur trees, from North Carolina and Michigan.
“Hundreds and hundreds of Zionsville kids have worked for us, but the kindergartner field trips to the farm have always been my favorite,” Watt said, recalling the memories on the farm. “They are so adorable and innocent and their questions about the trees are so sweet. I just always enjoyed that group so much.”
The memories will always be in her mind and heart, and she looks forward to making new ones in the new location.
“We are trying to continue the long-time tradition, in a new location, but even thought we aren’t on the farm on Hunt Club Road anymore, the tradition of the family coming and picking out a tree is still here,” Watt said. “The trees are up on stakes, and we will have the shop all decorated in an amazing way, so they can continue the found memories. We feel they are our family too.”
Watt’s Christmas Trees and Sparkle Shop will be open beginning Thanksgiving day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
