This Nebraska Christmas Shop Stays Decked Out With Ornaments And Nutcrackers All Year Long
A full line of Steinbach nutcrackers stands at attention in a Nebraska shop where Christmas never packs up for the season. Even a sweaty August afternoon counts as December here.
The shelves hold thousands of ornaments, with glass pieces from Germany’s Inge-Glas and from Christopher Radko. Department 56 villages glow nearby, while Fontanini nativities wait for a spot under someone’s tree.
I like how none of it gets packed away when spring shows up.
The building has been selling holiday cheer since the late 1960s, under more than one name. That’s a lot of tinsel for one address.
I believe that kind of staying power says plenty about how much folks love a good ornament hunt.
So what happens when a shop decides December is a permanent condition? Plenty, and most of it sparkles.
Christmas Lives Year-Round In Omaha’s Old Market
Brick streets and old warehouses make Omaha’s Old Market feel like a step back in time. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop fits right in, except it also steps sideways into December.
The shop opens its doors to holiday fans every day of the week, no matter the month. Ornaments, nutcrackers, villages and gifts fill the space from end to end.
Christmas is the headliner, but it isn’t the only act. Shelves also carry decor for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Easter, plus other special occasions.
That mix makes Tannenbaum Christmas Shop handy for planners who like to shop early. You can grab a gift for a holiday months away and feel wonderfully ahead of schedule.
The Old Market setting adds to the fun. You’re surrounded by shops, galleries and restaurants, so a holiday browse can easily stretch into a full afternoon downtown.
For Nebraska families, this corner of Omaha already carries plenty of memories. A shop that keeps the lights twinkling all year simply gives everyone another reason to stop by.
Consider it a standing invitation to the holidays. No snow required, and no countdown either.
An Address With Decades Of Holiday Cheer Behind It
Long before anyone was streaming holiday playlists, this building was already in the Christmas business. A store called The Place opened here in 1968, selling holiday goods to Omaha shoppers.
New owners took over in 1985 and gave the shop its current name. Tannenbaum, of course, is the German word for a fir tree, so the name tells you exactly what’s inside.
That means more than half a century of ornaments moving through one address. Few Nebraska storefronts can claim that kind of single-minded devotion to a holiday.
Owner Jeff Jorgensen has led the shop in recent years. His name pops up as the person steering this festive ship.
Plenty of downtown spaces change personalities every few years. A coffee shop becomes a boutique, then an office, then something else entirely.
Tannenbaum Christmas Shop went the other way and stayed loyal to tinsel. Through different owners and different decades, the year-round holiday idea never faded.
I can’t imagine a more fitting legacy for a building in the Old Market. Some addresses collect stories, and this one collects ornaments by the thousands.
Thousands Of Ornaments Are Waiting For Your Tree
Counting the ornaments here would take longer than a Nebraska winter. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop stocks them by the thousands, hanging from racks, branches and nearly every surface in sight.
Classic glass balls share space with whimsical shapes and quirky characters. Somewhere in the mix, there’s an ornament for nearly every hobby, pet or inside joke.
Personalized ornaments with names add another layer to the hunt. Finding one with a loved one’s name feels a bit like winning a small prize.
Many families turn ornament shopping into a yearly tradition. A new piece for each child every season builds a tree full of stories over time.
The range of styles also helps first-time tree decorators. You can start with a few simple pieces or go bold with a theme that runs branch to branch.
Prices vary widely, so a quick souvenir and a splurge can both fit in one basket. That flexibility makes browsing feel relaxed rather than precious.
Just give yourself time. With this many choices, “just one ornament” is a promise that rarely survives the first aisle.
German Glass And Designer Santas Steal The Spotlight
Inge-Glas of Germany has been blowing glass ornaments for generations. Finding their work on a shelf in Omaha feels like a little trip across the ocean.
Tannenbaum Christmas Shop also carries pieces from Christopher Radko and Old World Christmas. All three names are well known among serious ornament collectors.
Santa gets special attention here, appearing in more versions than you might guess. Traditional figures stand near Santas made for a baby’s first Christmas or a wedding.
That variety turns a simple ornament into a milestone marker. Years later, a single glass Santa can bring back a whole season of memories.
Glass ornaments like these tend to feature hand-painted detail and bright, layered colors. They catch the tree lights in a way plastic pieces rarely manage.
Collectors often hunt for a specific maker or series. Casual shoppers just pick the one that makes them smile, which works equally well.
Either way, these pieces are built to become heirlooms. Handle them gently, wrap them well, and they may outlast the tree stand by decades.
A Wooden Army Of Steinbach Nutcrackers Keeps Watch
Stern faces, tall hats and very serious jaws greet you near the nutcracker displays. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop carries a full line of Steinbach nutcrackers, a famous German name in the craft.
Steinbach pieces trace their roots to traditional German woodworking. Each figure carries its own uniform, colors and personality.
Lined up together, they look like a tiny parade that forgot to march. Kings, soldiers and storybook characters stand shoulder to shoulder on the shelves.
Nutcrackers have long been tied to holiday lore, thanks in part to the famous ballet. Seeing so many in one place makes that old story feel close and real.
Some shoppers start a collection with one figure and add another each year. Others pick a single statement piece for the mantel and call it done.
Do they actually crack nuts? Technically, yes, though most owners would rather keep them looking sharp than test them on walnuts.
In Nebraska, it’s rare to find this kind of lineup outside the holiday rush. Here, the wooden guards stay on duty all twelve months.
Tiny Snowy Towns Glow Under The Shop Lights
Miniature rooftops, glowing windows and little lamp posts build whole winter towns on the tables here. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop showcases a comprehensive collection of Department 56 villages.
These pieces are made for collectors who love detail. Each building comes with tiny touches like shutters, wreaths and snowy ledges.
Families often build their village a few pieces at a time. A bakery one year, a church the next, and eventually a whole main street takes shape.
Department 56 Snowbabies also live here, with their soft, snowy look. These little figures bring a gentler, sweeter style to the shelves.
Village collecting can be oddly relaxing. Arranging tiny trees and figures is basically landscaping for people who prefer indoor weather.
Shopping in person helps, since you can see the scale and lighting up close. Photos rarely show how a lit window looks in a dim corner.
Good luck leaving with just one house. These towns have a funny habit of needing a neighbor, then a skating pond, then a train.
Fontanini Nativities Bring A Quieter Kind Of Wonder
Not every corner of the shop is about sparkle and silliness. For many families, the nativity sits at the heart of the season, and Tannenbaum Christmas Shop honors that.
The shop carries a variety of Fontanini nativities. Fontanini is an Italian name long associated with detailed, hand-painted nativity figures.
Sets can start small, with the Holy Family at the center. Shepherds, animals and wise men can join the scene over the years.
That gradual approach suits families who love traditions. Adding a new figure each Christmas becomes its own small ritual.
Nativities also make thoughtful gifts for newlyweds or new homeowners. A first set can anchor holiday decorating for decades.
Next to the busy ornament walls, these displays feel calm and reflective. It’s a nice balance in a shop that otherwise leans happily toward glitter.
I like that the shop makes room for every side of the holiday. Faith, fun and family keepsakes all get space on the same shelves.
Famous American Artists Fill The Shelves With Personality
Jim Shore, Susan Lordi, Lori Mitchell and Karen Didion all have work on the shelves here. That’s a lineup of well-known American designers under one Old Market roof.
Jim Shore’s pieces are famous for folk-art patterns and bright, quilt-like designs. Susan Lordi creates the Willow Tree figures known for their simple, faceless grace.
Lori Mitchell brings playful, whimsical characters to the holiday table. Karen Didion is known for detailed Santa figures and festive collectibles.
Having all these styles together makes Tannenbaum Christmas Shop feel thoughtfully curated. You can compare looks side by side instead of guessing from a screen.
These figures often work beyond Christmas, too. Some fit right in on a bookshelf or entry table all year.
They also make easy gifts for the person who already owns every ornament. A statue or figurine feels personal without needing a tree.
Fair warning, though. Once you recognize these artists’ styles, you may start spotting gaps on your own shelves at home.
Halloween, Easter And Everyday Treasures Sneak In Too
Pumpkins next to Santa? At Tannenbaum Christmas Shop, the calendar gets a little crowded, and that’s part of the charm.
Beyond Christmas, the shop stocks decor for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Easter. Fall visitors in particular will find plenty of spooky and harvest-themed pieces.
Everyday gifts round out the mix nicely. Charms, angels, candles and music boxes sit alongside the holiday goods.
Non-holiday collectibles like cookie jars and mugs also turn up on the shelves. They’re handy finds for birthdays, housewarmings or a quick thank-you gift.
This variety makes the shop useful well beyond December. A spring visit can be just as productive as a holiday shopping run.
It also helps when you’re buying for someone with specific tastes. A music box for one friend and a ceramic pumpkin for another can come from the same stop.
Think of it as a holiday shop with a very generous definition of holiday. Every season seems to get a seat at the table, with Christmas at the head.
Souvenirs That Show Off Some Nebraska Pride
Out-of-town guests always want something that says Nebraska. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop has that covered with souvenirs for Omaha, Nebraska and even neighboring Iowa.
State-themed cups and fun souvenir magnets fill part of the shop. They’re easy, affordable reminders of a trip downtown.
Nebraska-themed ornaments might be the best souvenir of all. Each December, they pop back out of the box with a little hometown pride.
The shop also offers a free Nebraska or Iowa ornament with a qualifying purchase. It’s a sweet bonus that turns a regular shopping trip into a keepsake.
Iowa shoppers make sense here, since Council Bluffs sits just across the river. A shop that welcomes both states feels like a good neighbor.
Visiting relatives will appreciate a gift that’s both festive and local. A Nebraska ornament beats a generic keychain any day.
For Nebraskans who moved away, these pieces carry extra weight. Hanging one on a tree far from home can feel like a small hug from the Platte.
Cozy, Crowded Aisles Make Browsing An Adventure
Every shelf seems to hold one more thing than it probably should. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop is packed full, which gives it a lively, snow-globe kind of energy.
Some aisles run narrow because of all that merchandise. Keep your coat and bag close so nothing fragile takes a tumble.
The shop generally asks customers not to bring strollers inside. With glass ornaments at elbow height, that request makes plenty of sense.
Families with little ones may want to plan for a carrier instead. Older kids will love scanning the shelves for favorite characters.
The space is handicapped accessible, which helps more visitors enjoy the displays. That thoughtful detail matters in a shop built for browsing.
Weekends tend to bring more shoppers, especially in the Old Market. Weekday visits usually allow a slower, more relaxed wander.
Moving slowly is honestly the best strategy anyway. The fun is in spotting small details, like a tiny village figure or a clever ornament hiding behind a bigger one.
Plan Your Trip To 1007 Howard Street
Finding the shop is the easy part. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop sits at 1007 Howard St, Omaha, NE 68102, right in the heart of the Old Market.
It’s across the street from the Embassy Suites hotel, a handy landmark for first-timers. Look for the vine-wrapped entrance along the brick streetscape.
The shop opens late morning most days of the week. Evening hours run later on Fridays and Saturdays, perfect for a dinner-and-browse night out.
Sundays bring a shorter afternoon window. Checking the schedule before you go can save a disappointing walk.
Parking in the Old Market includes street spots and nearby garages. Comfortable shoes help, since the cobblestones and shops invite plenty of wandering.
Day-trippers from Lincoln or Grand Island can easily pair the stop with other downtown sights. The riverfront parks are a short stroll away.
Prices range from modest souvenirs to collectible splurges. Setting a loose budget before you go is smart, because the shelves are very persuasive.
Why December Deserves A Permanent Address In Nebraska
Half a century of holiday cheer at one address is no small feat. Tannenbaum Christmas Shop has turned that history into a year-round reason to visit Omaha.
The appeal is easy to explain. Thousands of ornaments, a wall of Steinbach nutcrackers and glowing Department 56 villages fill one very busy room.
It suits collectors chasing a Radko piece or an Inge-Glas Santa. It also works for anyone who simply wants a little sparkle on an ordinary afternoon.
Families can start traditions here, one ornament at a time. Visitors can leave with a Nebraska keepsake that comes out every December.
Is it a little crowded? Sure, but that’s what happens when you try to fit every holiday under one roof.
I believe every state needs a place that refuses to put Christmas back in the attic. Nebraska happens to have a great one in the Old Market.
So the next time summer feels endless, head downtown. The nutcrackers will be standing guard, and the tree lights will be on.
