When you work in retail, you are usually one of the first people to get into the holiday spirit, whether you want to or not.
Massapequa resident Christine Gianotti has worked at ACE Hardware on 1330 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa for the past year and a half. She is a cashier and also works the floor during the busy 
times of the year.
“Working at ACE during the holidays is a hectic, but enjoyable time,” said Gianotti. “With the store being decorated and every Christmas song playing throughout the store makes it a fun place to work. It’s like a winter wonderland.”
During this time of the year, Gianotti’s job entails decorating the store with everything and anything Christmas related. She decorates the artificial trees, stocks the shelves with lights and creates any display that represents Christmas for the interior of the store and the windows.
“Usually inventory varies depending on the year, but this year was by far the earliest year we’ve received our Christmas inventory,” said Gianotti of the holiday items that were stocked the very beginning of October. “We were told by corporate management that all Christmas inventory had to be finished by the beginning of November. Everything was out and decorated before Thanksgiving, it was crazy.”
Gianotti noted that some of the most popular items for sale at ACE this holiday season include artificially lit wreaths and garland for banisters and columns, LED indoor and outdoor lights and character lights such as Rudolph and Snoopy. The store also sells plenty of Christmas blow up decorations like Santa Claus and snowmen. There is even a blow up army Santa for those families with men and women serving in the military.
While working in retail during the holidays can be a stressful time, it allows Gianotti’s creativity to come through.
“I like how during Christmas time, I can show my creative side and decorate,” she said. “My other favorite part about working at ACE are my co-workers. We are like a family and my team makes my time at the store more enjoyable and memorable.”
If you need any last minute interior or exterior decorations and illuminations, head to your local ACE Hardware store at Holiday Park Shopping Center, 1330 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa, 516-798-0680 or 5135 Merrick Rd., Massapequa Park, 516-798-5757.
Happy Holidays!
