PENNSYLVANIA — A nationwide survey of holiday shoppers has crowned Pennsylvania’s most “Christmassy” retail destinations, highlighting the stores that best capture the sights, sounds, and nostalgia of the Christmas season.
The survey, conducted by financial media company MarketBeat and based on responses from 3,022 shoppers across the country, asked participants to identify the stores that most strongly evoke the holiday spirit. In Pennsylvania, the top spot went to The Christmas Haus in Gettysburg, followed by Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum & Gift Emporium in Chalfont and the King of Prussia Mall.
The Christmas Haus, ranked No. 1 in the state, was praised for its European-style charm paired with Gettysburg’s historic, small-town atmosphere. Shoppers described softly glowing displays, shelves of finely crafted ornaments, and a calm, cozy environment that feels removed from the bustle of nearby shops.
Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum & Gift Emporium placed second, earning high marks for its deep ties to tradition. Attached directly to the Byers’ Choice workshop, the Chalfont destination features elaborate displays of carolers and winter scenes before visitors enter the gift shop. Respondents said the experience feels personal and handmade, reinforcing a sense of Christmas rooted in craftsmanship rather than commercialization.
Taking third place, King of Prussia Mall stood out for its scale and polish. Shoppers pointed to upscale seasonal décor lining its expansive corridors, saying the mall’s mix of high-end retailers and carefully styled displays delivers a distinctly modern but festive holiday shopping experience.
Beyond ranking individual stores, the survey examined what actually makes a retail space feel Christmassy. When asked which type of store makes them feel like they have stepped into a Christmas movie, respondents were nearly evenly split. Large department stores led with 36 percent, closely followed by small independent shops at 34 percent. Garden centers or winter markets drew 16 percent, while big-box retailers accounted for 14 percent.
Price remained the top consideration for many Pennsylvania shoppers, with 41 percent naming it their primary factor when choosing where to shop. Still, atmosphere played a significant role, with 15 percent saying the overall vibe mattered most, even outweighing convenience for some. Product variety ranked second at 18 percent, convenience at 14 percent, and supporting local businesses at 12 percent.
Nostalgia emerged as a powerful driver of holiday sentiment. Department stores topped the list for delivering the strongest childhood Christmas feeling at 40 percent, followed by toy stores at 36 percent. Craft stores and bookstores trailed at 15 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
Shoppers also weighed in on the displays that leave the biggest impression. Miniature villages and detailed scenes were the clear favorite at 38 percent, followed by giant trees and large showpieces at 32 percent. Handmade or artisan decorations drew 19 percent, while interactive displays and photo opportunities came in at 11 percent.
Not all retailers fared equally in the holiday imagination. Pharmacies and grocery stores tied as the least Christmassy categories, each cited by 31 percent of respondents, followed by electronics stores at 20 percent and clothing chains at 18 percent.
“What stood out in the data is just how emotional holiday shopping still is,” said Matt Paulson, founder of MarketBeat. “Price matters, of course, but the atmosphere of a store can completely shift someone’s experience. People want to feel like they have stepped into a Christmas movie – and the stores that lean into that nostalgia are the ones shoppers remember most.”
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