Mahoney's Garden Center is kicking off the holiday season in style with a "Ladies Night Out" Christmas Shoppe open house on Wednesday, November 17, from 4 to 9 p.m.

"It is really exciting to see so many people, there is so much to look at it really is a good festive launch to the holiday season," said Paul Waxman, marketing manager for Mahoney's.  

During this free event, guests have the pleasure of sampling wine and food while exploring Mahoney's Christmas Shoppe, and taking advantage of their one-day event 20 percent off special, as well as enjoying the services and collectibles of many local merchants. Door prizes offered by Mahoney's and the local merchants will also be awarded throughout the night.

"The event truly is an extravaganza," remarks Kathleen Becker, owner of Emmett's Edibles (gourmet dog treats). Becker participated in the event in the Winchester location last year and has also joined the event in Tewksbury in its inaugural year. "Ladies shop to music while sipping wine and tasting amazing treats. As a vendor I couldn't ask for a better atmosphere."

According to Lauri Mahoney, director of marketing for Mahoney's Garden Centers, the event began as an official opening to the holiday decorating season in their Winchester location. It was when Mahoney's invited local merchants to participate that the event blossomed.

"It's become a social event that many women look forward to annually. Last year we had over 3,000 women attend in Winchester alone."

Although this is the inaugural event in Tewksbury, Mahoney's began the tradition five years ago. Waxman said an employee came up with the idea during the Christmas season as way to bring in more customers to their Christmas Shoppe. Every year Mahoney's takes a large section of their garden center and converts in into a Christmas shop, and many people didn't know about it, it was a suggestion to have a launch party to invite people who would not ordinarily come in to check out what Mahoney's offers.

"It rained like crazy that first night, but it was packed, we had something like 3000 people. It was such a success we continued it and are in our fifth year in Winchester, fourth year in Falmouth and first in Tewksbury," he said. "It was a huge success right off the bat."

Cindy Loken, of Lyn Evans-Potpourri Designs, has been a part of the event in Winchester for three years and is excited to expand to the Tewksbury event this year. It is a great event, women come out hoping to get an early start on their holiday shopping, they get to enjoy free samples, live music and Mahoney's winter wonderland, she said.

"It's a great atmosphere, everyone is in such a good mood," Loken said. "You have the music going, just being out together, it's a really nice time, gets you in the mood for holiday shopping."

"There are so many unique items and vendors that shoppers are guaranteed to find the perfect gift," says Sharon Donovan, owner of Simple Pleasures. "I really appreciate the opportunity to sell at the event, and I've met some wonderful regular customers for my accessories." Donovan plans to attend both the Winchester and Tewksbury events after such a successful year in Winchester last year. "On top of it, I had a lot of fun!"

Mahoney's also recognizes that the event is a great way to help support the local economy.

"Everything speaks to being local these days," adds Mahoney. "We've really tried to reach a vast array of merchants both for the ladies shopping enjoyment, but also to the benefit local merchants."

Waxman said they have 24 vendors and three restaurants this year. Local merchants planned for the event include, but are not limited to, Emett's Edibles, Simple Pleasures Fashion, Concord Hand Design Jewelry, Pea Pods Fashion, Glitz Kids, Little Tree Company, Lia Sophia Jewelry, The Pink Poppy, Lyn Evans Fashion, Elements therapeutic Massage, Stella & Dot Jewelry, All About You, Aurora Salon, The Energized Body, Jand Butcher, LaRosa's ,  Capellina's Restaurant, Olio di Melloi, Chamber of Commerce, Sparkles, and much more.

At the event, Mahoney's will also promote their annual Trees for Troops campaign, where shoppers can spread some holiday cheer by donating a tree to a military family.

The event still marks the official start of decorating for the holidays, and Mahoney's takes great pride in transforming their garden shop into a festive Christmas Shoppe filled with ornaments from around the world, exquisite figurines, lifelike pre-lit wreaths, painted poinsettias, and other hard-to-find decorations.

"It is fun to see when someone, who has never been to the store before, see their eyes go wide when they see Christmas shop all decorated for the first time," Waxman said.