To market, to market...

 Where do all these wonderful gifts come from, you ask?

There's a magical place in Hopkins, Minnesota that only a small percentage of people in the world get to go... it's called the Minneapolis Mart and it's filled with over 6000 lines of gifts and accessories in 160 permanent showrooms!

 A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend this wonderland with our two gift buyers, and this girl was in heaven!  Think about it... seeing all the newest trends and products BEFORE they even get to stores!  It was no walk in the park though- it was a marathon; row after row after row of people smiling and chatting showing off their latest wares.  

Here's a photo one of the showrooms...

The most wild thing was what the buyers were there for- it's the beginning of March and they were buying Christmas!  Believe it or not, they start Christmas "shopping" in January (literally the week after the real holiday season) and work on it all year long. I have been working for the Bibelot for years and years and have always wanted to know what this "land of new items" looks like... we'll do i have news for you- I took some pics!

one of the amazing decorated trees

this is how they pick out each and every evergreen spray

and another gorgeous tree

During this particular weekend, there was also a "temporary mart" set up.  This was at a hotel very near the Mpls Mart.  Here, there were hundreds of vendors lined up and down the hallways and filled the ballrooms.  You could find anything... from lovely wool blankets to homemade soaps, dog socks to old fashioned toys.  This place was wild!  It felt kind of like the State Fair (with much fancier flooring).  Here are a couple photos from the temporary showrooms...

a whole wall of Swedish dishtowels

inside a ballroom... filled to the max!

It was such a great experience!  I loved every minute, even though I was dog tired by the time I got home that evening.  If you ever get the chance to check this place out, do it.  It is well worth it!