NATCHEZ — Red and green are going up all over the place signaling the beginning of another Christmas season.

And with the beginning of the season comes shoppers, but just how many is still up in the air this year. Though, local store owners said early indicators point toward a successful Christmas shopping season in the Miss-Lou.

The Gift Box in Ferriday hosted a holiday open house last weekend and store owner Shirley Cliburn said sales were at the same level as last year’s sales.

“We actually did quiet well this year. We had a two-day event rather than just one,” she said. “As far as sales, they are at about the same place they were last year, and last Christmas was the best season we’ve ever had.”

The Gift Box has been open for almost 13 years. She said her big sellers are her lines of dolls, home décor items and LSU memorabilia.

Natchez is getting into the Christmas spirit today with a variety of open house events planned for local gift shops.

But Erin Myers, owner of Sun, Moon & Stars on Main Street said her customers aren’t waiting until the open house to start purchasing gifts.

“We’ve already had people in here buying Christmas gifts,” Myers said. “I’ve sold a little bit of everything. People are definitely shopping.”

Myers will have an open house from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. To get ready for the special event, Myers and her staff have been busy creating a festive atmosphere by putting up Christmas decorations, and she thinks that helps to pull people in each year.

“We normally see people start shopping this early,” she said. “As soon as we start decorating, we see people start coming in.”

Just a few doors down One-of-a-Kind is also in full Christmas regalia in preparation for a Sunday open house. Store clerk Becky Davidson said the open house setting allows customers to begin scoping out all the new items available for holiday presents.

“This is the time of year when we can really show off our new items and what is in style for the season,” Davidson said.

At One-of-a-Kind, Davidson said Christmas means ornaments. Store owner Mary Lees Wilson personalizes a multitude of tree ornaments.

“We have many of the same families that come each year and pick out ornaments,” Davidson said. “We now have parents bringing children to pick out their own ornaments.”

This year with an uncertain economy, Davidson said One-of-a-Kind is doing its best to appeal to as many people as possible.

By stocking items from luggage to pottery and food items to children’s toys, Davidson said people are sure to find something to purchase in the store.

“We try to attract all ranges of customers by having something for all age ranges in the store,” she said. (Wilson) spends a lot of time picking unique items and we typically see good crowds.”

Both Myers and Davidson said more than attracting customers, holiday open houses are about saying “thank you” to the customers from throughout the year.

Cliburn said she hopes the fast start she saw last weekend, doesn’t taper off in the coming weeks, but knows nothing is certain considering the economy.

“I am certainly optimistic and everything leans that way right now,” she said. “But with the economy the way it is now, if makes you wonder if it is going to affect us.”