Cha-ching! (5-13)

While there are still 200-plus shopping days until Christmas, you can bank on the notion that the folks at Valley View Farms are already making plans for their best holiday season ever.

That will be a feat, indeed, given that the Baltimore, Md., area garden center seems to have its best holiday season ever each succeeding year. While some garden centers make Christmas a peripheral part of the overall business plan, Valley View Farms makes Christmas an experience -- for its staff and especially for its customers.

The store's ride into Christmas actually begins in August, when the staff moves garden displays to make way for over 125 decorated Christmas trees. Working under a canopy of 50,000 twinkling lights, Valley View Farms' talented "elves" shape, light, and decorate the trees in themes such as Ravens, Gingerbread, Elvis, and '70s Retro. The selection of over 6,000 holiday ornaments and gifts is collected and presented to appeal to young and old alike. 

Early in November, from dusk until closing, Valley View Farms' outdoor Christmas light display illuminates the night sky with over 100,000 lights. The entire valley is set aglow with a sea of twinkling star-like lights that dazzle the mind’s eye with inspiration. 

Yes, this place does Christmas right -- so much so that if you listen closely, you'll hear the "Cha-ching!"

Looking for a Cha-ching! you might have missed? Go to the search box and type Cha-ching! Items are listed by date.