By Jim Carchidi
October 15, 2026
Spirit Halloween’s parent company is expanding into a new holiday market with Spirit Christmas, and Winter Garden Village is home to Florida’s first location. The seasonal shopping experience welcomed its first customers on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Humble beginnings
Spencer Spirit Holdings, Inc. launched Spirit Christmas in 2024 with eight locations in Connecticut and New York. The brand expanded to 30 stores across 13 states in 2025, and this year will launch 44 locations across 15 states.
Like its Halloween counterpart, Spirit Christmas utilizes short-term leases in vacant retail spaces, securing large locations in high-profile areas without year-round overhead. The Winter Garden Village shop occupies the former Forever 21 storefront and will be followed by three more Florida locations in Clearwater, Coral Springs, and Jacksonville. Each is expected to open in early November.
Merry merchandise
The Winter Garden Village store opened at 10 a.m., but anxious shoppers observed the holiday tradition of lining up more than two hours prior. Once inside, the crowd was welcomed by shouts of "Merry Christmas" from the staff, then darted to their locations of choice.
The selection of indoor and outdoor decorations, tree ornaments, holiday apparel, stocking stuffers, and party supplies offer hours of eye candy-induced hyperactivity. But there are limits on a couple of items. Pokemon card packs and NeeDoh toys are limited to two per customer. And the stock was depleted in less than 60 minutes on day one.
According to Spirit Christmas Southeast Director of Stores Rob Monger, merchandise is restocked according to supply and not every delivery will include every high-demand item.
The inflatables department is large enough for its own zip code. Old-school stocking stuffers like harmonicas and army men are in stock. Foodie finds include a selection of international snack samplers. And there are enough ugly sweaters to satisfy any office party or family reunion.
The festive selections offer a few references to the brand’s Halloween roots. The Spirit Christmas-exclusive “Creepmas” line combines the best of both holidays in decor and apparel.
Some of the large-scale animatronic items are also exclusive to Spirit Christmas, including Snow Miser and Heat Miser from The Year Without a Santa Claus.
A season of giving
Customers can choose to make a donation to Spirit Halloween's official non-profit charity, Spirit of Children, which raises funds for toys, arts and crafts, and other fun items for pediatric patients. Donations made at the Spirit Christmas and Spirit Halloween Winter Garden shops go to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Hours and open positions
Spirit Christmas Winter Garden is located at 3049 Daniels Road, Suite 220C. Operating hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, and they're hiring for several open positions. Check the Spirit Christmas website for more information.
Sponsor: The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group — the #1 real estate team in Orlando and the Official Real Estate Team of the Orlando Magic.
About the Author
Jim Carchidi is an Orlando journalist and photographer with previous work at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando Business Journal. He covers development, arts, culture, and local stories for The Orlando Real.
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