Jingle bells and nutcrackers are on sale — but only to help the fur babies in York County

Regina Bryson returns to the Christmas thrift store multiple times throughout the holiday season to pick out new treasures. Among her favorite items are vintage items that tell a nice story.

On a recent shopping trip, she spotted a small child’s rocking glider in the shape of a horse. She had to have it. A volunteer told her the back-story — it was a childhood toy of an 80-year-old man, who also donated his old fire engine.

“He held onto it all these years,” Bryson said. “I felt so sad.”

Elaine Siegel, director and “Chief Elf” of the Humane Society of York County Christmas Store in Fort Mill, said a section of the shop is dedicated to vintage and high-end decor, including a wooden rocking horse.

The seasonal thrift store has opened for business each holiday season for the past 15 years. The store raises money to help make the holidays brighter for pets in need of a new home.

Among the most popular items in the store are nutcrackers, miniature village houses and pet items. But the store also stocks Yuletide-themed, gently used or new decorations that big-box stores sell, plus a handful of items from yesteryear.

All of the items for sale have been donated, even the rent.

The past couple of years have been more fruitful than other years because of the store’s visibility. This is the second year the store has taken up shop in the old Kimbrell’s Furniture Store.

The foot traffic on Main Street has been a big factor.

“We get more donations every year because more and more people know about us,” Siegel said. “This site has just been fabulous because of people coming into Fort Mill for the festivals and for the restaurants.”

The store stocks everything Santa related, plus Nativity scenes, ornaments, wreaths, linens, lights and tree toppers, Fitz and Floyd dinnerware and a Jim Shore willow tree.

Someone even donated ornamental Joan Rivers eggs.

A collection of Annalee Dolls is among the items up for grabs, along with a dozen knee-hugging elves, vintage ceramic trees with colorful lights and even Christmas-themed sweaters.

And there’s a “whole Christmas forest,” Siegel said “with lots and lots of wreaths.”

Bryson held up a mini artificial tree with a handmade wooden base. It was the tip top of a life-sized artificial tree that had been cut off to make a smaller tree.

“Isn’t it so cute?” she asked.

In 2023, the Christmas store made $154,000, all of which goes to operate the Humane Society, including feeding, vetting and housing pets. Siegel said the operating cost of the shelter is $61,000 a month. The charity also operates the Pawsibilities thrift store in Fort Mill, which is open all year around.

The Christmas Store is located at 232 Main Street, Fort Mill. The hours are noon-4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The 3,000 square foot store will be open until Dec. 27.

This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 10:46 AM.