CHRISTMAS MAGIC: Stepping inside Noble Passage during the holiday season is a magical step into a Christmas wonderland

Story By Erin Coggins | Photos By Joshua Berry | Living 50 Plus

Magic. That is what Deborah McDaniel feels when she thinks back on the time, she visited her grandfather in Chicago during the Christmas holidays. The family would take the train into the city to see the storefronts on Michigan Avenue—stores like Macy’s with elaborate displays.

“My grandfather was an artist. He attended the Art Institute in Chicago,” McDaniel said. “His home was always decorated beautifully. We would get roasted chestnuts, hot cocoa, and walk down Michigan Avenue. It was magic.”

That Christmas magic, the smells, the sights, and the feeling, is what McDaniel captures in her downtown shop, Noble Passage Interiors.

“I want to capture that on a small scale. We do not have the large stores like Macy’s downtown, but we can still make children’s eyes twinkle,” McDaniel said. “I feel my shop feels magical and feels like childhood.”

The storefront windows may not be as large as downtown Chicago, but McDaniel and her employees have represented a variety of holiday décor options in their windows. One is decorated with santas and reindeer while the other represents the more spiritual side of the holiday with Nativity scenes.

“Decorating is so individual,” McDaniel said. “We like to cater to all tastes.”

McDaniel says nativity scenes are big this season and her shop offers a plethora of them. From elaborate to simple white porcelain, nativity scenes are in every room in the shop. Customers can even purchase a miniature one with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in a manager that comes in the perfect box for gifting or a “paint your own” nativity scene for children.

One room in the store is dedicated to Mark Roberts elves and fairies, a brand unique to Noble Passage. Most are limited edition pieces that come with a collector’s certificate for registering the piece. The bright colored, detailed, whimsical fairies and elves are posable and can hang from chandeliers, candlesticks and lamp shades.

“Mark Roberts is a California artist that I have known for years and years. I even have his number in my phone contacts,” McDaniel said. “He offers unique items. Some of the nativity scenes and other items are elaborate and expensive, and others are affordable. We try to offer a variety of affordable pieces.”

McDaniel says customers often purchase the Mark Roberts pieces as family heirlooms or to begin a collection for a daughter or granddaughter. Sometimes they purchase eight to 10 pieces at a time. The ones that do not sell during the current season are packed away and brought back the next year.

Mark Roberts is a draw for customers, but Noble Passage is packed from floor to ceiling with merchandise. A couch in one of the rooms offers a great vantage point for taking it all in.

Snow Globes grace every shelf in the room, giving off light and a low hum that just screams comfort and joy. Because these masterpieces are displayed in a small space, the impact is even more gratifying.

The snow globes encapsulate Santa and his reindeer, snowmen, Nativity scenes, ballerinas dancing to the “Nutcracker”, the classic red truck and cardinals. These are not ordinary snow globes. Some are round. Some are captured in lanterns. Some are Christmas trees. Some are in square boxes. And one is in a crystal church with a simple wreath on its doors.

There is a reason customers come from as far away as Atlanta to purchase décor at the shop. McDaniel strives to make her store “feel like home.” The shop, which has been open for 14 years, has become a family tradition for some customers.

“During the holidays, we see a lot of our clients bring in their families that are visiting,” McDaniel said. “Then those family members become repeat customers.”

“Everybody who works in here loves Christmas,” McDaniel added. “One of my employees has Christmas music on her playlist and when she walks at the beach, she takes her walks listening to it. We could do Christmas all year long.”

Noble Passage Interiors is located on Main Street in downtown Madison. When in the area for the Madison Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail lighting, Wassail Fest or Christmas Capers, make sure you admire the storefront windows. They are beautiful, especially at night.

Noble Passage Interiors is located at 202 and 204 Main St, Madison. You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NoblePassageInteriors.