Christmas trees dressed in different themes, festive decorations, and a holiday shopping event? That’s enough to make a garden center feel like a different destination once the season arrives.
The New Hampshire business shifts from its usual focus on plants and gardening supplies to displays filled with seasonal ornaments, decorative accents, and gift ideas. The themed trees offer inspiration for decorating styles, whether you prefer traditional colors or something more playful.
I like how a garden center can make holiday shopping feel like an outing rather than another errand. You can wander among decorated trees, compare ornaments, and pick up ideas for making your home feel festive.
Even visitors who aren’t planning to buy much can enjoy seeing how the displays come together. With decorations competing for attention, choosing a favorite tree might be the hardest part.
The Whole Store Puts On Its Holiday Best
Churchill’s Garden Center doesn’t just add a few bows and call it a season. Each year, the Exeter shop hosts an Annual Holiday Open House that turns the entire store into a winter wonderland.
That’s a big shift for a place best known for shrubs and perennials. Suddenly the focus moves from potting soil to sparkle, greenery, and gifts.
The open house works as a kickoff for the whole holiday season. You can start your decorating plans and knock out some gift shopping in one trip.
That’s efficient, and it’s way more cheerful than a crowded mall.
I like that the event feels like a celebration rather than a sale. The point is inspiration, creativity, and a little seasonal cheer.
You leave with ideas, even if your bags stay light.
Timing matters here, since the open house is a special day on the calendar. Keep an eye on the garden center’s announcements in the fall so you don’t miss it.
Hours are generally 9 am to 5 pm, which leaves plenty of daylight for browsing.
Bring a list if you need one. Or don’t, and let the displays decide for you.
Either way, the season officially starts here for plenty of New Hampshire families.
Themed Trees Will Make You Rethink Your Ornament Box
Decorating ruts are real. Many of us hang the same ornaments in the same spots every single December.
The themed holiday trees at Churchill’s Garden Center offer a friendly nudge out of that habit. Each tree shows off its own style, giving you a fresh look at what’s possible.
Think of them as a gallery you can actually shop from. You might spot a color combination you never considered.
Or maybe a mix of textures that makes your living room feel brand new.
Here’s my practical tip. Snap a few photos of the trees you love most, then compare them with what you already own at home.
Sometimes you only need a handful of new pieces to pull off a whole new theme.
The trees also help if you’re shopping for someone else. A display can show how an ornament looks in context, not just dangling alone on a hook.
That makes gift picking a lot less guesswork.
Designers and artists are part of the staff here, and that creative eye shows. Ask questions if a detail catches your attention.
Inspiration is the whole point, so soak up as many ideas as you want.
Your Front Porch Is About To Get Jealous Neighbors
Empty summer planters look a little sad by December. The Winter Container Class at Churchill’s Garden Center fixes that problem in the best way.
Participants design their own outdoor arrangements using fresh evergreens, winter sticks, pinecones, berries, and ornament balls. The result is a festive display built to greet guests all season.
I like how hands-on this class is. You aren’t watching someone else work while you take notes.
You’re the one choosing every branch and berry.
Fresh evergreens hold up well in cold New Hampshire weather, which makes these containers a smart choice. They add color to a porch or patio when everything else turns gray.
A little snow on top only makes them prettier.
Want a pro move? Place your finished container where you’ll see it every day, like beside the front door.
That way you get to enjoy your work, not just your guests.
Classes like this tend to fill up, so sign up early once dates appear. Bring gloves if you like to protect your hands from prickly greens.
And maybe clear space in the car, because nobody wants pinecones rolling under the seats.
A Tiny Boxwood Tree Can Steal The Whole Table
Not every home has room for a towering spruce. Some of us share space with cats who see tall trees as climbing gyms.
The Boxwood Tree Workshop at Churchill’s Garden Center offers a sweet alternative. You create a fresh-cut boxwood tabletop tree, then personalize it with an assortment of decorations.
Boxwood has small, glossy leaves that give a tidy, classic look. Shaped into a mini tree, it brings real greenery indoors without taking over the room.
It fits on a dining table, a desk, or a kitchen counter.
These little trees also make thoughtful gifts. A handmade piece says more than a gift card ever could.
Teachers, neighbors, and grandparents all seem like perfect candidates.
A quick care tip helps your tree last. Keep it away from heat vents and give it a light misting now and then.
Fresh greens stay happier when they don’t dry out.
The best part might be the decorating itself. Choosing ribbons and tiny ornaments feels relaxing after a busy week.
You walk out with something pretty and a calmer mood, which sounds like a fair trade during the holidays.
Kids Get A Holiday Mission Of Their Own
Holiday shopping with kids can feel like herding reindeer. Churchill’s Garden Center has a clever answer with a holiday scavenger hunt.
Searching for hidden items turns browsing into a game. Kids stay busy and curious while grown-ups enjoy the displays.
The garden center also runs kid-friendly workshops during the season. In the Kids’ Beaded Snowflake Workshop, young crafters design their own sparkly snowflakes.
Those make great ornaments or window decorations at home.
Then there’s the Kids Club Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Class. Frosting, sprinkles, and a little creativity add up to a very happy afternoon.
Whether the cookies survive the ride home is another question.
I love that these activities let kids make something real. A handmade snowflake on the tree means more than any store-bought ornament.
Years later, those pieces become family treasures.
Plan ahead, since kids’ classes often require signing up early. Check the event calendar in late fall.
Dress little ones in clothes that can handle glitter and icing, because both tend to travel. The memories will last longer than the mess, I promise.
Say Hello To The Locals With Feathers And Hooves
Most stores greet you with a sliding door. Churchill’s Garden Center greets you with goats, chickens, and a parrot.
The on-site animals give this Exeter garden center a farm-like charm that few shops can match. Goats and a flock of chickens live in pens on the property.
Inside the tropical greenhouse, a talking parrot holds court. Yes, a garden center with a bird that talks back.
That alone might be worth the drive.
The animals make a natural break during a busy shopping trip. Kids get a fun stop, and adults get a quick reason to smile.
Holiday stress has a hard time competing with a curious goat.
There’s also a small playground on site for younger visitors. Outdoor seating offers a spot to rest between browsing sessions.
These touches make the property feel welcoming rather than rushed.
A friendly reminder helps everyone. Follow any posted rules around the animals and keep fingers out of pens unless staff say otherwise.
Respecting their space keeps the visit pleasant for people and critters alike. Then head back inside, because those themed trees won’t admire themselves.
Water Features And Landscaping Set A Peaceful Scene
Plenty of garden centers feel like big parking lots with plants. The grounds at Churchill’s Garden Center tell a different story.
Two cascading fountain ponds add movement and charm to the property. Well-done landscaping surrounds the area, showing off what plants can do in a real setting.
That landscaping works like a living catalog. You can see how shrubs, evergreens, and trees look once they’re actually planted.
It’s much easier than imagining from a pot.
The nursery itself is artfully arranged, with options from fruit trees to flowering shrubs and sturdy evergreens. Even in winter, evergreens keep the grounds looking lively.
They also remind you that New Hampshire gardens don’t have to go dull after fall.
Walking the property is part of the appeal. You can wander, take in the views, and gather ideas for spring.
Holiday season or not, the setting rewards a slow stroll.
Wear sturdy shoes in colder months, since outdoor paths may get chilly or damp. A warm coat helps you linger longer near the ponds.
Then duck inside to warm up among the wreaths and twinkling decor.
Friendly Experts Are Ready When You Get Stuck
Ever stared at a plant and wondered if you’ll keep it alive past New Year’s? Help is close by at Churchill’s Garden Center.
The staff includes horticulturalists, designers, and artists. They offer personal service and advice on just about every part of gardening.
That expertise comes in handy during the holidays too. Poinsettias, ferns, and orchids all have their own needs.
A quick question at checkout can save you from a droopy plant by January.
The team also knows decor. If you’re unsure how to style a wreath or mantel, ask for ideas.
Designers can point you toward pieces that work together.
Custom decorated Christmas wreaths are one of the seasonal offerings here. A wreath designed with care can make a front door look ready for a magazine.
Your mail carrier may even slow down to admire it.
One helpful note before you buy. The garden center does not accept returns on live plants, so ask care questions up front.
Know your light, temperature, and watering habits. With a little guidance, your holiday greenery has a strong chance of staying merry.
Plan Your Trip To This Exeter Favorite
Finding Churchill’s Garden Center is the easy part. Leaving without a wreath, an ornament, or a new plant is much harder.
The garden center sits at 12 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833. It’s an easy stop for anyone exploring the Seacoast area of New Hampshire.
Hours generally run from 9 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. That schedule gives you weekday and weekend options.
Still, check ahead during the holidays, since special events can change things up.
Parking is on site, but it isn’t a giant big-box lot. Park carefully and leave room for others, especially during busy event days.
Your future self, loaded with greenery, will thank you.
This place stays worth visiting long after December. Spring brings annuals and vegetables, and the nursery stocks trees, shrubs, and evergreens year-round.
Bulk mulch and stone are also available for bigger projects.
I love that one shop can cover holiday magic and backyard dreams. Come for the themed trees and stay for the goats.
Then come back in May, because Churchill’s Garden Center clearly knows how to celebrate every season.
