Our Blog

There's something special about decorating for Christmas. Pulling out the ornaments you've collected over the years, finding the perfect spot for your favorite wreath, and adding those little touches that make your home feel ready for the holidays.

At Neighbors Mercantile, Christmas planning starts long before the first snowflake falls. As we've been selecting our collections for 2026, we've noticed a few decorating trends that have us especially excited for the season ahead.

This year, we're seeing a beautiful mix of handmade charm, nostalgic traditions, rich colors, and timeless pieces. Some styles feel like Christmas at Grandma's house, while others bring a more polished, elegant touch. And the best part? You don't have to choose just one.

Here are four Christmas decorating trends we're loving for 2026.

There’s something special about this time of year. Gardens are overflowing, farmers market baskets are full, and suddenly you have more cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and green beans than you know what to do with.

That’s where preserving comes in.

For generations, families have found ways to make the summer harvest last a little longer. And while canning may be the first thing that comes to mind, you can also freeze, dry, pickle, ferment, and even freeze-dry your favorite foods.

The best part? You don't need to be an expert—or have a kitchen full of equipment—to get started.

When it comes to reliable, American-made bakeware, two names consistently rise to the top: Nordic Ware and USA Pan. Both brands are known for durability, performance, and thoughtful design—but they take very different approaches to materials and baking styles. Whether you’re a casual home baker or a detail-oriented cake enthusiast, choosing between them comes down to how (and what) you love to bake. Here’s what you need to know before you decide.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe everyday tools should work as hard as you do. Whether you’re embracing a slower, more sustainable rhythm or simply tired of flimsy clothespins that snap, twist, and fail when you need them most—there’s a better way to hang your laundry.

Enter Poly-Grip Clothespins: thoughtfully designed, American-made, and built to last.

There’s something special about sourdough. The smell of a loaf baking in the oven, the crackle of a golden crust, the tangy flavor that only time and fermentation can create—it’s bread the way it was meant to be.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe sourdough isn’t just food. It’s a craft, a rhythm, and a connection to simpler, slower living. Whether you’re brand new or ready to try again, this guide will walk you through the why, the how, and the what you need to get started.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe the best toys aren’t the ones that light up, beep, or need batteries—they’re the ones that spark imagination, stand the test of time, and get passed from one set of small hands to the next.

There’s something special about a toy that doesn’t just belong to one child, but becomes part of a family story. The scuffed wheels, the worn paint, the tiny fingerprints—those are signs of a childhood well played. That’s why we’re proud to offer a collection of timeless, classic toys designed to last for years, even generations.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we’re all about gear that keeps life loud, rugged, and ready for adventure — and that’s exactly why we carry Turtlebox Audio speakers. These aren’t your average Bluetooth boxes — they’re engineered for real outdoor use: rain, dirt, beach days, campfires, tailgates… you name it. Born from a garage idea to build the ultimate outdoor speaker, Turtlebox Audio has carved a niche as best-in-class for rugged performance and bold sound that travels with you.

Whether you’re chilling at the campsite or powering the party on your patio, we’ve got Turtlebox speakers ready to rock your soundtrack.

There’s something instantly comforting about enamelware. Maybe it’s the familiar speckled finish, the sturdy feel in your hands, or the way it brings to mind campfires, family kitchens, and well-used tables. At Neighbors Mercantile, we love pieces that tell a story—and Crow Canyon Enamelware tells one that spans generations.

Whether you’re discovering enamelware for the first time or grew up eating cereal out of a speckled bowl, Crow Canyon’s high-contrast splatter ware bridges the gap between nostalgia and modern living.

Let’s start at the beginning.

There’s something truly special about the way food brings people together — the aroma of fresh bread, the comfort of a hearty supper, and the joy of sharing both with friends and family. At Neighbors Mercantile, we celebrate that sense of community by offering a curated collection of Amish and Mennonite cookbooks that inspire simple living, wholesome ingredients, and delicious home cooking.

Whether you’re pulling out your favorite cast-iron skillet or flipping through pages filled with time-tested wisdom, these books capture the heart of homestyle kitchens everywhere.

There’s something special about finding love in all the little places — in the handmade gifts, the thoughtful décor, and in moments shared over warm mugs and heartfelt words. At Neighbors Mercantile, we’ve gathered our favorite Valentine’s pieces to help you celebrate love in your everyday spaces and spread a little joy around your home and heart.

Game day is more than just football. It is food, friends, and a table full of crowd favorites that keep everyone gathered around the snacks between plays. If you are hosting a Super Bowl party this year, Neighbors Mercantile has everything you need to create a spread that looks great, tastes amazing, and keeps hosting stress low.

From charcuterie boards to wing sauces and easy desserts, here is how to build your ultimate game day setup.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe in products that earn their place through tradition, simplicity, and results. That’s why we proudly carry a thoughtful selection of salves rooted in time-tested remedies — the kind of dependable staples you reach for again and again.

From soothing burns and sore muscles to everyday skin care, our salves are made with natural ingredients and trusted formulas that have stood the test of time. Here are a few customer favorites you’ll find at Neighbors Mercantile.

If you’re searching for a place where shopping feels personal again, welcome to Nappanee, Indiana. Tucked into the heart of Amish Country, Nappanee offers a refreshing blend of small-town charm, handcrafted goods, and locally owned businesses that truly care about their community. Shopping here isn’t rushed or impersonal — it’s friendly, intentional, and full of character.

What makes Nappanee Indiana shopping so special is the people behind the storefronts. Many of the stores are family-owned, run by neighbors who know your name and your story. From handmade décor and thoughtfully sourced gifts to one-of-a-kind antiques and boutique finds, Nappanee’s local shops celebrate craftsmanship, creativity, and connection.

Whether you’re a visitor exploring northern Indiana or a local looking to support small businesses close to home, shopping in Nappanee offers something increasingly rare: authenticity.

The end of the festive season brings a quieter pace—and for many of us, a desire to reset. After the decorations are packed away and routines begin to settle, it’s a good time to take stock of your home and gently bring things back into order.

A home reset doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few intentional, practical choices, you can create a space that feels organized, purpose-filled, and ready for the year ahead—one small step at a time.

We started planning for the 2025 Christmas season way back in the fall of 2024 (yes, really!), and after months of sourcing from some of our favorite brands, we began noticing a few clear themes that we think you'll love.

Real touch greenery and garlands have become one of our most-loved holiday categories— and it's easy to see why. Once folks discover how realistic these greens look and feel, it's hard to go back to the shiny, plastic versions from the big-box stores. There's something nostalgic about greenery that looks freshly cut, bringing the feeling of nature and home inside, without the mess or short lifespan of the real thing.

Each year, we select a few garlands to feature as our main options— the ones that feel timeless, realistic, and easy to decorate with in any home. Since we're still growing this part of our business, it can be a bit of a gamble deciding which ones to stock most heavily, but that's part of the fun. We love the process of curating pieces that bring warmth, texture, and a touch of nostalgia to our homes.

And while we always bring in a variety, these three garlands are our top picks for 2025— each one full of realistic greenery, natural texture, and that cozy, at-home feel we all love during the holidays.

The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, and we're ready to welcome autumn with a lineup of fun, family-friendly events right here in Nappanee! At Neighbors Mercantile, fall is one of our favorite season, and we've got plenty planned to help you soak in all the cozy vibes, community fun, and small-town charm. Here's a sneak peek at what's happening this season:

📌 A Quick Note: Labor Day Hours

We love celebrating holidays with our community, but please note that Neighbors Mercantile will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. We’ll reopen with normal hours following the holiday...just in time for all the fall fun to begin!

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe a good cast iron skillet isn’t just cookware—it’s an heirloom. Whether you’re frying eggs at sunrise or searing a steak on a chilly evening, cast iron delivers that unbeatable flavor and even heat. But like any good neighbor, it needs a little care in return.

There’s nothing quite like the magic of summer camping—the fresh air, crackling campfires, starry skies, and the call of adventure. Whether you're heading to the mountains, the lake, or your favorite forest hideaway, having the right gear can make all the difference. At Neighbors Mercantile Co., we’ve got a handpicked selection of camping essentials to keep you comfortable, well-fed, and ready for whatever the trail throws your way. Here are some of our top summer must-haves to pack before your next outdoor getaway.

Handpicked Gifts from Neighbors Mercantile for Every Kind of Dad

Whether your dad is a grill master, game night champ, or tech tinkerer, Neighbors Mercantile has the perfect gift to show him just how much he means to you. Here’s your go-to guide for finding something he’ll truly love.

Before Neighbors Mercantile opened its doors, we documented the journey—step by step, dust and all. From the first time we turned the key in the lock, to uncovering the building’s rich history, to naming our shop and finally welcoming our first customers, these blog posts captured the process in real time. Now, we’re sharing those original posts here so you can look back with us and see how Neighbors Mercantile came to life. This is where it all began.