Upon entering the Next to Nature jewelry and gift store in Lower Burrell, shoppers are drawn to the numerous sights and sounds of the holiday season.

It's a veritable Santa's workshop that blossomed into six rooms of treasures for just about any age or taste. Perhaps what charms local customers most are the 40 pencil Christmas trees that will be decorated through mid-January.

For 10 years, owner Carolyn Gavasto has been featuring increasingly more Christmas trees in her shop. Each year, the decor changes.

"I started with only two trees, and I usually add two trees each year," she said. "Last year. I did 32. Somehow. I got carried away."

In the store's entryway are color-themed trees draped in purple, rust, gold, green and burgundy butterflies, florals, birds and glass bulbs.

Each tree is covered in ornaments based on a particular theme.

Looking for a snowman for a friend's tree? You'll most likely find what you want, and if not, the adjacent trees covered in whimsical frogs, teddy bears and other characters in the Sugar and Spice room will catch your eye.

And while you're deciding, you can have a cup of complimentary coffee and a cookie.

The trees are illuminated with hard-to-find "rice lights" that can be set to twinkle, sparkle and flash in 16 patterns, Mrs. Gavasto said.

Those looking for a bit more elegance will appreciate the King's Ransom room, which features a gold tree covered in glittered balls, butterflies and florals.

Reasonably priced, most of the ornaments sell from $1.50 to $15, Mrs. Gavasto said.

Also on display are cases of "one-of-a-kind" fine jewelry and several beaded pieces she designed. The shop also sells jewelry from Israel and Poland.

Considering herself a jeweler first, Mrs. Gavasto is a certified appraiser with the Gemological Institute of America and a color stone designer.

She said she wanted a store that has something for everyone. She incorporated gifts and some antique items into her boutique. Franz porcelain vases, hand-woven tapestries from North Carolina and wall hangings and plaques from all over the country fill the store's walls and shelves.

Some of her most popular items are Mr. Christmas miniature amusement park music boxes. Small merry-go-rounds, bumper cars and roller coasters are on display under the Christmas trees, each with movable parts and playing 30 songs.

"I deal with over 500 companies," she said.

Planning for her holiday display begins in January, and most of her stock is ordered by April. The actual decorating commences 12 weeks before the holiday season.

Customers who enter her shop, stressed by the holiday rush, often leave humming and joyful, Mrs. Gavasto said.

"If I'm in a good mood, I'll put something on sale," she said. "Usually, I'm in a good mood."