New Saturday Shopping Hours at Merritts!

Please be advised .... Merritts has changed its Saturday hours! Come shop Merritts Antiques in Douglassville, PA from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays! (And of course Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.!)

We'll see you soon.

Stay warm!

New Year, New Products!

We at Merritts are starting the new year off right - with new merchandise of course!

Be sure to visit www.merritts.com to check out our new arrivals. And check back in a day or so, because there will be even more great items from our reproduction department (and other departments too!)

We've got a vast selection of new oyster plates available! Once a 19th century staple, these plates make for gorgeous decorative displays and are a favorite of many ... Preview both our new and existing pieces.

Seasonal Goodies ...

Pick up some last minute gifts (and avoid crowds) while you can ... check out our new arrivals in our Gifts & Furniture department! www.merritts.com

We wish you luck as you combat the masses in your quest for last minute gifts these last 5 shopping days until Christmas!

You're never too old ...

Have a nostalgic moment and allow yourself to appreciate the little things that you once loved. Whether it be tea sets, dolls, or trains, such nostalgia can make for great decorative home accents.

Never underestimate the power of youthful elements! They can really pack a punch and give your interior the little something extra it just might need. Generally, they're good conversation pieces too!

This cast iron three-piece train is hand painted and is just as fun for the young at heart as it is for the young! Perfect for adorning a shelf, mantle, or desktop, this piece is youthful, charming, and versatile.

Fun and feminine this petite tea set's delicate pieces offer a gorgeous floral motif and even come in a pink gingham fabric lined wicker basket. Cute and dainty, you're never too old to appreciate something this adorable!

This handsome wooden doll cradle is an antique original ... Add a favorite doll to this vintage piece to create a decorative accent that is unique and reflective of your childhood innocence.

Check out these and other nostalgic favorites at www.merritts.com!

Have a very vintage holiday ...

Looking to add a vintage element to your Christmas this year?

Set your Christmas tree in this antique Christmas tree stand. From about the 1930's, each of these sturdy, cast iron European originals has a truly unique look.

Check out our selection of these and other continental pieces in the antique shop ...

Looking for holiday gift ideas or new items faithfully reproduced from antique originals? Visit www.merritts.com and have a very vintage holiday!

Kick the kitsch ... Creating the perfect centerpiece

Never underestimate the power of the centerpiece!

When planning a wedding, banquet, or party people often spend a great deal of time trying to think of and create a unique and stunning centerpiece. Some opt for traditional floral arrangements, while others think outside the box (or in this case, vase) and get their guests talking with some truly original ideas. Either way, no party planner haphazardly slaps a vase on their table and calls it a day. The perfect centerpiece is given much thought and consideration. After all, centerpieces do help create the mood, ambience, and tone of your gathering. Why then, shouldn't centerpieces in your home be given the same attention?

Sure, it's easy to think that any old vase will do. Go on; just fill up that space with empty, thoughtless kitsch. We just hope you can sleep at night knowing that your home's interior is dotted with generic junk. Tsk. Tsk.

Ready to make a change? Or are you already a thoughtful centerpiece creator looking for new ideas? Read on and pardon as I play Martha …

Check out the before and after shots of these unforeseen gems.

Sure, some might see the potential in this rustic wood carrier, but others might overlook it, thinking it’s not their “thing.” To get the look, simply fill the compartments with a favorite potpourri (I chose a fresh linen scent), add a candle to the middle compartment and finish it off with a simple raffia bow. Voila! Easy to create and attractive, this piece offers a simple, folksy charm. (For this piece, I also added a few sea shells to the compartments, making this piece appropriate for a nautical or beach themed décor as well.)

I did something similar to the very same carrier, but this time gave it a more festive twist. I added two candles to the outside compartments (along with some apple cinnamon potpourri), accented them with gold painted pinecones and then garnished the center compartment with a large faux poinsettia. Once again, this is a quick way to jazz up a simple, rustic looking piece.

Familiar with antique bun boards? You know those long, relatively thin slabs of wood? Think they’re uninteresting? Wrong, my friend. With the addition of four votive candle holders (complete with votives, of course), two sparkling poinsettia accents and a sprinkle of potpourri, this bun board is perfect for setting at the center of any holiday table. Set it atop your favorite table runner to give the look a little more pizzazz.

Create the same look, but with a spring harvest feel. This time I used only three votive cups, glued small pieces of wooden fruit along the bun board, and completed the look with two bundles of faux wheat that I simply laid beside the votive cups. Easy, effortless and simply handsome too!

Here we go again, another piece of rustic wood. Fill a compartment with potpourri and set a votive cup and candle at the center. Lay a bundle of faux wheat on top. In the smaller compartment, simply add some small wooden apples and another bundle of wheat, bound with red gingham ribbon. Finish off the look with a raffia bow on the carrier’s handle. Simple, rustic perfection …

The look of simplicity isn’t for you? Look at this stunning floral arrangement in a gorgeous porcelain teapot. Elegant, yet bold, this piece will make a statement. The use of the teapot creates more interest than just a standard vase. Create your own arrangement with fresh, dried, or fake flowers.

Note: The above are possible for any and all to do; even the domestically inept (like me).

Find the rustic wood pieces, teapot, and other great items to use as centerpieces at www.merritts.com!

Avoid The Fruitcake ... Holiday Hostess Gift Ideas

Suddenly it's that time again. Just when you felt your wallet getting fatter, up went those holiday wreaths on every light pole in town, on went those fights over Tickle Me Elmo and Playstation 3, there sat those Salvation Army volunteers in Santa hats, ringing their bells, and in came those invitations to holiday parties.

Tired of being the party guest with the proverbial beef stick and cheese set hostess gift? Racking your brain trying to think of something thoughtful, unique, and different? We've got some ideas ...

Check out this rustic wood wine bottle holder. Fill it with bottles of a favorite white, red, or blush wine, adorn it with a bow, and garnish it with some faux pointsettias or pine cones. It's sure to be a hit and rest assure, this item is no fruitcake! No other guest will have this in hand.

Above and beyond a cheese and cracker assortment ... You can't help but love this trio of frosty figures. Sure to be well received, your hostess can use these as a decorative accent even beyond the holidays. They're appropriate for any winter month and will compliment any country, rustic, or primitive décor.

No hostess with the mostess? Need something more masculine for a host? (Or something humorous, perhaps?) This tin sign will certainly cause a chuckle and will be a comical accent to a bar area, basement, or "man room." Once again, better than a stick of beef ...

Check out these and a huge assortment of other gifts at www.merritts.com!

No fruitcakes here.