In case you haven’t notice, it’s December and there are only 19 shopping days left before Christmas. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are gone. If you haven’t decorated yet, have found that most of your holiday lights don’t work or need an unusual gift for someone on your list, it’s time to hop to it. If you live in or will be visiting the Tampa Bay area, there is the perfect place to shop for Christmas decor. Drive east on Gulf to Bay Boulevard towards the beaches and keep an eye out for the building with the Christmas tree shaped sign atop a red and white candy cane striped pole and the red, white and green striped awning. You have found Robert’s Christmas Wonderland. What a wonderland it is, featuring all things Christmas. The store is open year round, but as the holidays near, crowds come from all over including visitors from out of state and Europe, seeking that one-of-a-kind Christmas ornament or collectible. People even stop here on their way to or returning from Clearwater’s beautiful beaches. The folks at Robert’s start planning and buying Christmas items in early January of each year. Boxes of merchandise arrive in the spring and set-up begins. Even if you are here for summer, you’ll be able to get a Christmas fix, a nice respite from the heat.

There are Christmas village displays, nativity scenes, themed decorated Christmas trees, collectibles and rows of Christmas ornaments in any theme imaginable. There is even a section of Florida themed ornaments – a perfect memento of your vacation in the Sunshine state. There is so much to see that you could easily lose tract of time, so plan on at least an hour or more for your visit.

The top not to be missed section is the Christmas Tree room. Walk through the archway of icicles and tiny white lights amid greenery into a breathtaking forest of lighted Christmas trees in every style and size, Santa figurines and stuffed forest animals (some lifesize). One can almost feel a slight chill in the air. It would take a real Scrooge not to feel the Christmas magic. You won’t find a better selection of top quality artificial trees, most of which come with a warranty.

Looking for an upside down Christmas tree that are in vogue right now? They have those too.

Fancy decorating your yard like Clark Griswold to look like a scene a la Christmas Vacation? Check out the corner of the tree room to see the variety of large sized outdoor decor items, regular and themed light strings and lighted decorations. Need replacement light bulbs? No problem, they carry a variety of sizes.

Make your holiday complete with a visit to Robert’s.

TIPS: 1) If you are a Florida resident, make sure to sign up for the Preferred Customer List when paying for your purchase. Anyone who spends at least $25 or more during the past year receives money saving coupons that are good at the beginning of October. Use them and receive another coupon good in November.

2) They offer free personalization of ornaments.