A Colorado Christmas tradition
By Kristen West
For nearly five decades, the St. Nick’s Christmas Store in Littleton has been a go-to destination for holiday cheer. This family-owned wonderland brims with twinkling lights, themed trees and festive decor, drawing visitors from across the state year after year.
The shop’s story began with Ira and Sue Sealy, who opened their first boutique stores more than 50 years ago. What started as an accidental beginning—sparked by an over-order of ornaments from Germany—grew into a beloved Colorado tradition with a permanent location in Littleton.
Today, the store remains a true family business. Sue Sealy co-owns St. Nick’s with her son, Shawn Sealy, alongside his wife and their two sons. Together, they oversee a business that swells from a dozen staff in the off-season to nearly 80 during peak holiday months. “We count our blessings that we get to work together because we all adore each other very much,” Shawn Sealy says. While Ira Sealy is mostly retired today, he remains part of the family legacy and still stops by the store to lend a hand.
Walking into St. Nick’s is an enchanted experience. The store features more than 90 decorated trees, each showcasing a unique theme inspired by everything from traditional red and green to Hollywood movies and TikTok trends. “Lots of people come in weekly just to feel good,” Sue Sealy says. “People of all ages come here for a little boost, a little cheer.”
Preparation is year-round. From January through March, the team shops markets and curates new lines of ornaments, wreaths and decor. In spring, they reopen with new themes and paint to keep each season fresh. “It’s truly a special place to be,” Shawn Sealy says. “We put our heart and soul into everything we do, and we have these amazing, creative people who work with us who also adore our customers.”
To differentiate themselves from big-box retailers, St. Nick’s emphasizes earnest customer service, craftsmanship, and unique touches. Ornaments can be personalized for free by in-house artists with backgrounds in calligraphy, theater and design. The shop also partners with Colorado artisans such as Cindy DeWolfe and Julie Leidel, who create exclusive collections celebrating local landscapes, architecture and even smaller state universities often overlooked by national brands.
A hallmark is the full-service repair workshop for artificial Christmas trees. Whether it’s a string of lights gone dim or a branch bent by a curious cat, the team stands by its products even years after purchase. “Christmas is an emotional time, and we try to make it easy when people come in and shop or if they have something go wrong,” Shawn Sealy says. “We pride ourselves on that customer experience. We also work hard to make products that hold up for a long time.”
Generations have grown up with St. Nick’s, turning the store into more than a place to buy decorations. Grandparents bring grandchildren, who return as adults with kids of their own. “You’re not only part of our community, but we’re also part of yours,” Shawn Sealy says.
This November, the shop celebrates its 49th annual open house, marking nearly half a century of spreading cheer in Colorado. For locals and visitors alike, stepping into St. Nick’s is more than holiday shopping—it’s stepping into Christmas itself.
St. Nick’s Christmas Store
5221 S Santa Fe Dr.
Littleton
303.798.8087
stnicks.com
