It may still be autumn, but there’s a whole lot of Christmas going on at The Shoppe at Historic Hotel Bethlehem, where an array of unique Christmas items await shoppers in the Christmas City.

Linda Fiegel, who has been employed by the Shoppe since it opened 10 years ago and manager for the past four, looks forward to the energy of the people who make the Shoppe part of their holiday shopping.

“It’s lovely sharing the history and joy of the season, right in the heart of it,” Fiegel said, referencing the hotel’s location in the hub of the historic downtown’s Christmas festivities.

Fiegel said there are lots of new customers, as well as many who return to shop and even stay at the hotel during the yuletide season.

“I’ve seen people make it a tradition in their lives to come back at Christmas from all over the country,” Fiegel said, “as well as those who visit the Shoppe when they return to their hometown for Christmas.”

The Shoppe began setting up its Christmas displays the week of Oct. 21, but the holiday preparation process begins in January — yes, Christmas really is a full year endeavor in The Christmas City.

After taking inventory in January, JoAnn Haines, director of merchandising, and Fiegel leave winter in Bethlehem behind and travel south to Atlanta, Ga., for seven days of shopping – about 12 hours per day – at AmericasMart. There, they comb through three skyscrapers brimming with merchandise in search of unique items for the upcoming Christmas season.

“It’s where we find new people [artists],” Fiegel said, adding the Shoppe also features the work of some local artists, such as Susan Fenner’s jewelry and handbags.

“We have a select amount of each item, which allows us to keep things refreshed. It works nicely for us because things are always changing, which is good for the community, customers and hotel guests,” Fiegel said.

The Shoppe stocks its inventory with unique pieces. “We try to keep exclusive items and designs in what we carry,” Fiegel said.

This year’s new gift items designed just for Bethlehem include light up Bethlehem Star artwork: the Star of Bethlehem over Central Moravian Chapel, honoring the 1741 Bethlehem Historic District; and the Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street. Chris Fiegel, marketing coordinator, is responsible for the artwork of both light up pieces.

As tradition is key to the hotel and the Shoppe, the annual Christmas tins are very popular, especially with collectors. The tins feature a design by Mary Jane Lahr, the hotel’s resident artist, and are filled with peppermint bark bars from Allentown-based Bazzini. The Shoppe has been selling the annual commemorative tin filled with peppermint bark bars for a decade.

Bruce Haines, operating managing partner of the hotel, joined Lahr for a tin signing outside the Shoppe Nov. 2.

The annual Christmas ornament is also immensely popular. Peter Priess, an artist who lives in Austria, recreates Lahr’s print that adorns the collector’s tin on the ornament. Ornaments are shipped to the Shoppe after being hand-painted by Priess and his staff of artisans.

“Tradition is the middle name of the hotel,” Fiegel said. “The Haineses’ keep things, classic, honoring the history. We carry contemporary things but keep that in mind. It’s special when people find a place that has traditions like the yearly tins and ornaments.

“And you get to take us home with you,” Fiegel said, explaining prints by Lahr and a signature scent made exclusively for the hotel are available for purchase.

There’s also a Christmas Open House to give back to the community, Fiegel said. The reservation-only event featuring wine and cheese took place Nov. 11, 12 and 13.

From mid-November until New Year’s, the Shoppe’s hours are Sunday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Shoppe is closed Christmas Day.

The online Shoppe on the hotel’s website hotelbethlehem.com/ features all signature items, such as wineglasses and bathroom accessories.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year Historic Hotel Bethlehem was named America’s Best Historic Hotel by USA Today – a grand slam – and the Shoppe’s 10th anniversary.

“It’s an exciting time,” Fiegel said.