Holidays Come Early at Karen's Gifts

It’s already starting to feel like it’s time for the fall and winter holidays at Karen’s Gifts in New Port Richey.

Part of the shop has been transformed into the Holiday Room, and it houses gifts fit for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and other celebrations. There’s a tree full of plush animals dressed in Halloween costumes and another one decorated with plush animals in Christmas and winter wear.

The shelves of the room are packed with plush animals celebrating all sorts of holidays, including Fourth of July.

They share the room with ornaments and gift items for the holidays, as well as gifts for any season or occasion. 

Karen’s Gifts is a New Port Richey staple. It’s been located at 6232 Grand Blvd. for the past 18 years, said owner Karen Legault. Legault runs it with husband Ed and daughter Elena. Both Karen and Ed used to work for Ford Motors in Dearborn, Mich.

Recently, Elena floated the idea of turning store space into a shop that includes merchandise for holidays throughout the year. The Christmas holidays are a busy time of the year at the store, and it extends its hours during that season.

Legualt decided to give the idea a shot with the idea of keeping it open year-round. The goods in Karen’s Gifts were shuffled around, and the majority of one of the shop’s three unit’s became the holiday shop last week.
 
The rest of Karen’s Gifts houses the store’s usual stock of glassware, lace, handbags and more. Legault touts carrying American-made goods and has been on a crusade to find them.

You can check out Karen’s Gifts at 6232 Grand Blvd. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.