Unwrap something special with Travolta and Co. this Christmas

COEUR d’ALENE — It was Christmas in August.

Giant stuffed animals with shiny red bows, decorated trees, colored lights and an abundance of toys and games made Ellen Travolta’s "Christmas Unwrapped" media kick-off party feel just like a scene out of a movie.

"I wanted people to feel the way we did when we used to walk into FAO Schwarz in New York," said Susan Sommer, who owns Figpickels Toy Emporium with husband, Brett. "I wanted it to feel like a toy store when you came in."

Figpickels spared no expense dressing up the party, which was held Thursday in a seventh-floor boardroom of The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Susan said when Travolta asked the Figpickels team to get involved, they were immediately on board.

"She goes, 'I just want it to be fun,' and I said, ‘OK, that’s what we do. That’s our business,'" Sommer said.

The playful atmosphere brought the inner children out of the party attendees, who enjoyed games like "Pencil Nose" that tickle the funny bone.

This year, Travolta's Christmas show is all about those toys that play a significant role in our Christmas memories.

"A few years ago, my sister Margaret and I started telling stories about when we were kids, and people responded to them. They loved them,” Ellen said. "So last year we put an ask out to the community saying, ‘Send us your Christmas memories.’ It was a huge success. People responded, people came to the show, they just loved it. This year, we’re asking for their toy tales — a toy you got, you didn’t get or you gave."

Those whose toy tales are selected will be given two free tickets to the show on the evening of their choice.

"All of these stories will be told every night,” Ellen said.

"Christmas Unwrapped" stars Ellen, Margaret and Ellen's daughter, Molly Allen.

“We’ll be filling you with lots of entertainment," Ellen said. "We’ll be moving well, we’ll be singing and we’ll be telling all of the stories."

Guest artists will also drop in throughout the show's run, including vocalist Abbey Crawford, New York cabaret singer Mark Cotter and more.

“Each week it will be someone different,” Ellen said.

"Christmas Unwrapped" opens Nov. 24 and plays every Thursday through Sunday until Dec. 17.

To submit toy stories, email christmasunwrapped@cdaresort.com, drop them off in Figpickels at 210 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene, or mail them to: The Christmas Show, ATTN: Ellen Travolta, P.O. Box 7200, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. The deadline is Oct. 5. Include name and full contact information with submission.

Tickets to "Christmas Unwrapped" are $27.50 and will go on sale Oct. 9. They will be available for purchase at www.cdachristmas.com.

Info: www.cdaresort.com/discover/activities/holiday_show