Chocolate Soup's 30th Annual Christmas Open House
on November 1, 2, & 3
Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This year marks Chocolate Soup's 30th Christmas Open House!
October 15, 2024 – It was in 1994 Elaine Seymour decorated her store to give Mariposa "a beautiful place to shop". For 19 years, she 
lovingly curated the store with heart and soul. Eleven years ago, Elaine passed the torch and I took over as the steward of Chocolate Soup, excited to carry on the feeling and traditions Elaine had established. Through the years it has been a blessing to share with our community and customers this special and unique place. I full-heartedly believe Chocolate Soup is not just a place to shop, but to see ways in which you can decorate your home or give a special gift from the collections of lovely & thoughtfully chosen items. It's a place where nostalgia greets our present day and happily nods toward our future. It is a place where generations come, hand in hand, sharing the dearness of family tradition, eyes and smiles wide with joy & wonder.
When you come visit us, I encourage you to take your time to smell the scents of our soaps, lotions, and candles. Slowly wander the gardens while enjoying the flowers, the birds & the cats! Intentionally taking in those moments is known as "Soup" therapy, and not every town has such a place. We are thankful and honored to give Mariposa and our surrounding communities this place of inspiration. Many customers have told us that coming to our Christmas Open House weekend has become the tradition that kicks off their holidays and puts them "in the mood" for the Christmas season. For us, that is such a heartwarming thought!
So please, mark your calendar, bring a friend to shop & share the festivities. Be sure to stop in the garden and have some "chocolate soup" fondue refreshments. On Saturday morning of the Open House, the violin students of Brianne Nobel will be playing in the garden as a special treat for all.
Manna House, our local food bank, will be selling raffle tickets as a fundraiser. Chocolate Soup donates a $25, $50, & $75 gift certificate for the lucky winners chosen at the end of the weekend.
This year our living room theme is the "Peace of Christmas". Decorated in blue, white, and silver. The true meaning of Christmas is depicted in Nativities, angels, stars, and lights.
The kitchen will be stocked with our delicious food products: Mama Bear's Kitchen Co. Scone & Hot Chocolate mixes, Carmie's Dips, Aloha from Oregon Pepper Jellies, balsamic vinegars, and
-NEW- Mrs. Darlington's lemon curds. This is the weekend to sample many of these products! Happy gingerbread people and fun holiday kitchen towels bring a festive air to this room.
In the center of the store, new locally crafted holiday t-shirts and earrings by Cindy's Bling Shirt Shop will take center stage.
Cheerful Christmas artwork, bottle brush trees, snowmen, whimsical felt ornaments, our ever-popular holiday jewelry and Advent calendars will be displayed here.
The Back Porch features the handmade pottery by my sister, Lisa. She has made beautiful one-of-a-kind Christmas trees in a variety of sizes and colors.
The tree and décor will have a Scandinavian flair, with handcrafted ornaments by Keri Lind (who used to work for Elaine), and laser cut wooden ornaments.
Lots of naturals with a punch of color will give the back porch a fun, folksy feeling.
The Colonial Woodwrights Cottage features one-of-a-kind furniture, home décor, and folk art. Everything here is hand-crafted by my husband, Michael, and this is his 40th year of making unique pieces!
Be the first to take home one of his friendly, wooden snowmen!
In addition to Christmas décor, he will have all the seasons represented in the cottage.
So if you're here only once a year, you can buy his Spring, Summer & Fall pieces, too!
The Cabin is "Santa's Retreat." Here you will find all the traditional and festive colors of red, green, and gold.
Santa Claus and deer are the focus this year!
Ornaments, wall décor & pillows are sure to make you believe!
In the back yard, The Potting Shed will be a magical, woodland place ~ where fairies live, mushrooms grow, and birds wear hats!
Don't forget: We will be CLOSED Sunday, October 27th - Thursday, October 31st to transform the store for the holiday season!
Watch our Facebook page (Chocolate Soup) for more information about events and sneak peeks of our Christmas Open House!Thank you for all your support.
Shop local! Shop small!
May you be blessed with a wonderful Christmas season,
Robbie, Michael, & the Soup staff
Chocolate Soup is located at 5009 Hwy 140 in Historic Mariposa.
Please call if you have any questions: (209) 966-5683.
Visit Chocolate Soup website here.