STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Christmas came early on Staten Island – at least that’s the case at Ariemma’s Garden Center where their elaborate Christmas displays are catching the attention of passerbys extra early this year.
If you’re asking “Why so early?” there is no good reason other than the Ariemma’s needing a head start for their ever-growing selection of elaborate hundreds of LED displays.
Passerbys can't help but notice Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section which opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
“It takes us a long time to set up and we had to start extra early,” says owner Fred Ariemma who’s been in business over 45 years. “Last year we started a little too late and we didn’t get done until almost December.”
Even with Halloween around the corner, the soon-to-be opened Christmas section is taking up three-times the area.
While Halloween still hasn't arrived, Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section is ready to go extra early. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
“Halloween is a very small holiday now,” added Ariemma. “Halloween takes about a day for us to set up. Christmas will take over a month.”
And ‘Christmas’ is a term Ariemma’s takes very seriously.
"Merry Christmas" is prominently displayed throughout Ariemma's Garden Center. “Most of our decorations say Merry Christmas," said owner Fred Ariemma. "Not ‘Happy Holidays’ or ‘X-mas’. The community that shops here likes that. They want ‘Merry Christmas.’ The other stuff, you could go to the box stores for.” Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
“Most of our decorations say Merry Christmas. Not ‘Happy Holidays’ or ‘X-mas’. The community that shops here likes that. They want ‘Merry Christmas.’ The other stuff, you could go to the box stores for.”
For the last 20 years, Ariemma has been custom designing most of the larger displays in his store; many of which over 10-feet tall.
Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
“I’m the only guy in America that has this stuff. Not just New York; in America.”
Ariemma’s customers, with many of whom in which he’s on a first-name basis, appreciate his devotion to the holiday as well as his work ethic.
Walk into the Garden Center and you’ll likely find Ariemma or his son, Michael manning the store open to close.
Just don’t greet them “Happy Holiday.”
Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
These LED snowmen on a sleigh are among the custom creations only found at Ariemma's Garden Center. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section features large light-up Gingerbread houses among its expansive collection. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
A day view of Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section from Hylan Blvd. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
This 10-foot tall Santa could be a perfect addition to any large Christmas Display. Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)
A pair of 10-foot tall reindeer greet you at the front of Ariemma's Garden Center's Christmas section which opened extra early this year. Oct. 26, 2021. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)