Super-Fan Carla Loves CHRISTmas and Bronner’s

Carla Foust Guernsey Csaszar was introduced to Bronner’s by her husband, Mike, in 2010. It’s been a love affair all the way around ever since ♥.  I recently talked with Carla about how it all began …

Bronner’s: What do you love about Christmas?

Carla: Decorating the inside and outside of our house. Homemade hot chocolate and popcorn and Christmas movies, And baking cookies and things. All the family getting together, the anticipation of Christmas Day and everyone’s smile on their face when they open up their gifts.

Bronner’s: How did you discover and start visiting Bronner’s?

Carla: My husband is from Michigan and had been to Bronner’s once. And when he took me to Michigan to meet his family in 2010, he said on our way back home he was going to take me to this Christmas store that he thought I would like. I didn’t just like it … I was absolutely overwhelmed in love with it!

Bronner’s: Describe your typical visit to Bronner’s. How often are you able to visit?

Carla: We visit the Silent Night Memorial Chapel before we go shopping. The chapel’s always so nice and peaceful. We love it! Then we walk in the store and the very first thing we do is get who ever is at the welcoming desk (west information booth) to come and take our picture at the CHRISTmas wreath. And I do mean EVERY TIME. If we come in four times the week that we are there, then we have four pictures of us at the wreath. Then we start looking and shopping, usually until they say the store is closing (no kidding). Then we drive around and just listen to the CHRISTmas music and look at all the lights. 

Honestly, the only way I can describe it is every time I walk into Bronner’s (and I do mean every time) it’s like visiting it for the first time in my life! I get that excited! It’s awesome! Now my husband Mike says he’s just in awe every time he walks in, too, just full of joy and happiness. I love that we have made so many friends among the staff.

We visit as often as we can. It is four hours away from home for us. The first couple of years we only made the drive once a year. Then it was twice a year, and this year we were blessed to be able to go three times. And if we’re really lucky, we plan on coming in October for our anniversary so that would be four times this year!

Bronner’s: Any favorite items you would like to pick up for gifts or decorating your home?

Carla: The clock I saw on the wall that has Bronner’s picture on it and the months for the numbers*. Or the ombre tree that is black, silver and white. Life-size manger scene, or Santa and his sled with reindeers. Hey, if you’re going to dream, might as well do it big! We do have a regular-size manger scene with a loft that Mike made himself. Actually, we just bought a new baby Jesus and donkey the last time we were at Bronner’s. Oh, and we also bought a new star.

*Note: Unfortunately, the clock is a display piece from many years ago and we don’t have any available for sale.

Bronner’s: What do you like best about visiting Bronner’s?

Carla: Really, it’s too hard to put in words. We just absolutely love the atmosphere and the fact that they put Christ in the center of it all. I really love the Santas that you have kneeling in front of Jesus. And how friendly everyone is there, and how they go above and beyond to help you in any way, shape or form that you need. We were so happy that we did get to meet Mrs. Bronner a year ago last August during a visit. If it wasn’t for our grandson and my kids, I really do think I would give up doing hair (my life-long dream job) and move to Frankenmuth and be a life-time employee at Bronner’s.