The clock is ticking down to Christmas and, for some, the shopping is done, the turkey is thawing and the stockings are hung. That being so, it’s time to slow down and enjoy Christmas.

And, the Johnson Center for the Arts in downtown Troy is an ideal countdown to Christmas place. The art center will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. today and Wednesday for families and individuals who want to bask in the beauty of the center’s nine Christmas trees that fill the upper level art gallery.

“There’s something magical about the Christmas Tree Extravaganza,” said Wiley White, JCA development coordinator. “The trees are all different and one is 20-feet tall. It’s just a joy to be here among them. And, the Tile Gallery features Susan Berry’s Nutcracker collection, which is an amazing grouping with different kinds of nutcrackers, some from The Nutcracker Ballet.”’

Also on the upper level of the JCA, is the center’s Pop-Up Store that pops up each year at Christmastime and then disappears until Christmas next year.

“We still have some really great one-of-a-kind items at great prices,” White said. “All of the items were created by artists from across the state and any one of them would make a treasured gift.”

Just added to the Pop-Up Store are posters of some of the most noted jazz and blues artists by Ed McCloud.

A selection remains of the Johnson Center for the Arts 2015 Christmas ornaments by Cal Breed of Orbix Hot Glass in Fort Payne.

“Cal Breed created diamond egg ornaments in solid and mottled colors,” White said. “We have sold out of the royal blue diamond eggs but we have a variety of other colors. We also have a few of Cal Breed’s glass candy canes.”

The collector diamond eggs are $40 each and the candy canes are $15.

A few of Mary Ann Casey’s Madonna and Child ornaments from last year’s Christmas ornament collection are available at $30 each.

The Johnson Center for the Arts will be open next week from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Families and individuals are invited to make a visit to the JCA a part of Christmas 2015 season.