Visit the only Christmas House in the Czech Republic with us. We know what you can expect inside!
I set out to see some sheep and deluxe decorations
The main Christmas season at the Christmas House lasts from October until the middle of January. This means that the coffee shop, which is usually called Medvědí (Bear) is renamed Andělská (Angel), cute sheep appear in a wooden pen in the courtyard and you can feel Christmas in every corner.
While visitor’s chiefly visit outside the season to see the teddy bears, because the biggest exhibition of teddy bears in the Czech Republic is displayed here, visitors seek a Christmas ambiance and a magical atmosphere during the main season. And that is exactly what I experienced when I saw the beautifully decorated Christmas trees, nativity scenes, advent wreathes and deluxe decorations. Are you interested in what it looks like inside? Then come with me.....
A gourmet experience at the Angel Coffee Shop
I sit down in the cosy coffee shop with Jiřina Regietová, the owner of the Christmas House, and I completely forget about the Christmas hustle and bustle. I order a hot pear drink, even though the menu offers much more. Various types of coffee, including cappuccino with marshmallows, hot apple juice or hot chocolate for example. I find out that the coffee shop is renamed the Angel Coffee Shop during the Christmas period, but is called the Bear Coffee Shop during the rest of the year, and is always appropriately decorated.
A magical place, where you can purchase stylish Christmas decorations
I find out that the Christmas House offers several exhibitions, of which one is a sale exhibition and that is where you can purchase beautiful, original and deluxe decorations for your Christmas tree or interior.
“When the women go shopping, the men usually sit in the coffee shop and the children go out to explore the teddy bears, and everyone enjoys themselves,” Mrs Regietová explains.
A completely new exhibition every year
Other parts of the Christmas House include the Christmas Museum, the Museum and Permanent Exhibition of Teddy Bears, the thematic coffee shop, Magic Town and two courtyards, where concerts are regularly held from the middle of November. All the exhibitions are revamped every year at the turn of September and October and so visitors can always expect something new. What? Is that even possible, to have so many ideas? And then I realise how infinite the human imagination is.....
The Christmas House also decorates the deluxe Imperial Hotel, I find out over a cup of hot pear juice
Mrs Regietová reveals more secrets to me over a cup of hot pear juice with whipped cream. The holiday ambiance is not only evident inside the Christmas House, it also permeates the entire town of Karlovy Vary. Christmas House does the decorations for some boutiques on the colonnade and has also been decorating the deluxe Imperial Hotel for nearly 20 years now. There is no doubt that Jiřina Regietová and her family love Christmas.
Lucie Bílá, Jan Nedvěd and Martin Chodúr have all visited!
This month, as well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Christmas House, the 3rd visitor’s book was christened and Martin Chodúr also held an autograph session. Famous faces are closely linked to the Christmas House in general. Lucie Bílá has her own teddy bear and she also christened the 2nd visitor’s book. I view the photographic evidence with a smile on my lips.
Singer David Deyl filmed his video clip here, Jan Nedvěd and Pavel Vítek had concerts here and moderator Jan Musil has actually played Saint Nicholas here in the past.
A magical ambiance throughout the year
You can visit the Christmas House every day all year round with the exception of 3 days – 24 December. 25 December and 1 January. The Christmas House takes some time off on these days. During the main season the house is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., off-season it is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
I will be visiting the teddy bear fair in the summer for you
If you visit out of season then it will most probably be to see the teddy bears. The Christmas House has 10,250 of these! In June and July you can look forward to the 2nd teddy bear festival, which has an extensive tradition, particularly in other part of the world. Last year artists from 30 countries worldwide visited and there will certainly be a lot to look forward to this year too.
And finally my advice
It is best to visit the Christmas House after 4 p.m. The coffee shop offers seating for 30 guests and is mostly empty after this time and it is easier to find a comfortable and quiet place to sit. And what is more, the Christmas House lights up in the evening and offers an even more magical ambiance. Will I be coming back? Definitely!
