5 great mid-Michigan businesses to help you get a head start on Christmas

MID-MICHIGAN – There's always a debate around this time of year: Is it too early to begin decorating for Christmas?

Some say "yes," others say "no," and a select few are too busy immersing themselves in making their living rooms a Christmas wonderland to answer the question.

Regardless of when you want to begin decorating, there is no shortage of shops across mid-Michigan to help you get a foot up on the process. And many of them have already begun putting out decorations of their own.

Below are five great local businesses that can help you get a head start on Christmas – whether it be shopping for gifts or, if you feel it's an appropriate enough time, decorating for the season.

Begick Nursery & Garden Center A longtime staple in Frankenlust Township, Begick Nursey & Garden Center , 5993 Westside Saginaw Road, has been in the nursery and landscaping business since its inception in 1970. But each year, around Christmas time, the business transforms into something offering a little more.

Usually in November – Thursday, Nov. 7, this year – the business' interior is covered with Christmas decorations. This includes the ceiling, which serves as a sort of fifth wall for the winter wonderland experience.

And while customers navigate through the colorful ensemble of ornaments, wreaths, and other knickknacks, they can buy anything they like because it's all for sale.

But don't just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself. Begick is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland It wouldn't be a list of places to go Christmas shopping in mid-Michigan without including Bronner's.

Located at 25 Christmas Lane in Frankenmuth, Bronner's is typically the No. 1 Christmas store people think of when they think of Christmas shopping. The business calls itself the world's largest Christmas store and offers nearly two football fields worth of lights, ornaments and other items.

Admission to the popular wintertime destination is free, and it's open every day but New Years Day, Easter and Christmas.

For a complete list of the store's fun features and hours, which change almost monthly, visit the store's website .

GT Homestead For most of the year, GT Homestead , 109 3rd St., in Bay City, is known for its home décor, furnishings, and all sorts of seasonal accessories. Around this time of year, when the weather is colder and snow is in the near distant future, the shop seems to transform.

In early November, GT Homestead features its own winter wonderland ambiance. Christmas decorations, wreaths, trees trims and the like are all plentiful at the store, offering a sophisticated slew of Christmas items for those looking to decorate their homes.

GT Homestead if open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

My Secret Garden Bay City's go-to gift shop doesn't miss out when it comes to the Christmas holiday. Its employees began decorating the inside of the store for Christmas before Halloween was even upon us.

While the shop is usually packed full of nifty gifts and cool, unique items, My Secret Garden is another shop that puts a sophisticated spin on its holiday decorations for Christmas. With shades of black, silver and white, the store offers a modern decorative feel around this time of year.

My Secret Garden is located at 600 Saginaw St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Poor Boy's Home Décor & More Yet another winter wonderland you won't want to miss this holiday season is Poor Boy's Home Décor & More , 7397 Gratiot Road in Thomas Township. The shop got an early start on Christmas decorating and is already in the holiday spirit.

The shop transformed itself from its fall and Halloween allure into a destination spot for Christmas shopping. Inside, you'll notice Christmas trees made by the business' employees, standing 3 and 4 feet tall and with lights to boot.

But that's hardly it, as the store is chock-full of other unique items and Christmas decorations – some more traditional and others more modern.

Poor Boy's Home Décor & More is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday,10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.