December 16, 2010

Nontraditional Decorations at Colonial Williamsburg


Most folks are familiar with the Williamsburg Christmas “style” which traditionally incorporates dried flowers, fruit, and greenery. However, with a bevy of creative folks in this historical village, there are bound to be some charming adornments that tilt a bit off the conventional axis. So I searched out some of the whimsical and quirky, and have brought them to life for you here.

This beautiful arrangement was suspended right outside the door of the shoemaker’s shop. It’s the traditional look with a twist! A handmade leather shoe is presented front and center, filled with a scoop of scarlet cockscomb flowers.



The Williamsburg settlement is just a stone’s throw from the coastline, and there is an abundance of seafood in this region. So it is logical, though unexpected, to sometimes incorporate seashells in the local displays. Two ingredients – wheat stalks and a scallop shell – are all you need for this ornamentation.



Oyster shells find a convenient home with wheat, dried strawflowers, and reindeer moss for another window arrangement.



Hanging over a tavern’s door, this display shows off metal beer tankards, hung with cinnamon sticks and overflowing with hops, reindeer moss, and dried orange slices. Bottoms up!



Even the blacksmith gets into the spirit with his primitive wreath of forged metal tools and charcoal briquettes. Dabs of greenery and some red berries make it obvious that he is celebrating the Christmas season.



This wreath announces that you have arrived at the shop where dyeing, spinning, and weaving arts are done. On a coarse burlap base, purple globe amaranth flowers punctuate handfuls of cotton balls. Rustic rosettes, fashioned from hand-woven fabrics, give the crowning touch.



Taupe colored yarn balls accentuate greenery in another textile-related display. Did you notice the red apple tucked in a tiny brick alcove to the right of the doors? The story about the apples at the Palmer House can be found HERE.



During a Christmas Decorations Tour, I got to see a darling little cottage that is tucked away from the general public. An employee rents and lives in the house, and she consistently wins a blue ribbon in the decorating contest, year after year. Co-workers joke that perhaps they should just go ahead and paint a blue ribbon on her cottage! She did not disappoint this season. Matching wreaths hang on the front door and windows with a honeybee theme. She baked and decorated each bee “cookie”, including details such pine straw antenna and clove eyes. The queen bee sits right on top of the hive, surrounded by her minions and directly below two amorous bees poised to kiss.



She also tucked in greenery and a jar of honey in each window corner. Critters reportedly snack on her cookies now and then, and she fills in replacements during the season. And yes, she won another blue ribbon this year!



And here is a decoration that reminds you that Williamsburg is a sacred place where American history was made and our founding fathers gathered. In the center of the American flag, made with dried flowers stripes and cotton ball stars, is a copy of the Declaration of Independence. The flag hangs from a banner that proudly proclaims “In God We Trust”. It took brave souls to form our country. They risked their lives, their families, and their fortunes to secure the liberties and freedoms we have today.



This time of year, Colonial Williamsburg reminds us all that Merry Christmas is celebrated and lives in America!

15 comments:

  1. Those are some gorgeous decorations. Those bees are so adorable. I couldn't even pick a favorite here if I tried I like them all.

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  2. The creativity is out of this world! I'm so impressed by each and every one. If I could manage a favorite, it might be the one above the tavern door. Course the bees are mighty cute. Guess I need to start thinking outside the box soon...

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  3. They are all favorites and extremely creative! Enjoyed learning about the apples...a different tradition and I'm glad the birds enjoyed them for awhile LOL

    Loving the ocean, I like the oyster shell for an in general decoration. Also liked the tavern door. They are gorgeous!

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  4. I love historic places like that. And the arch with the oranges slices and metal cups is cute.

    Have a great weekend girlfriend.
    HUGS
    Kim

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  5. Those are just beautiful and so clever!! My favorite is the bee wreath! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Those are really creative wreaths!! I don't know which one I like the best, probably the first little shoe one!! Have a good weekend Donna!!

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  7. How beautifully unique each is! thanks for sharing this Donna..I loved seeing them!!!

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  8. Lovely! It's amazing what they came up with for some of those.

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  9. These decorations are truly wonderful and imagnitive.

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  10. They are all so unique so gorgeous and so creative! I actually love each for different reasons.

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  11. Ah, fabulous and so original! Each more beautiful and sweet than the one before it! Love your pictures. What fun that must've been!

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  12. How inspiring all the decorations are, I keyed into the cotton bowls as I grew a row of cotton in the garden and saved a mess of bowls. This one is very attractive. I marketed my folk art in the north east for years and would love to visit more, so much to see...so much history.
    Merry Christmas!
    Love
    Marcie
    need any cotton bowls???

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  13. I just read the article on the apples, most intertaining. I do love the last photo and what you said, I too am a patriot, and active in what our country is up to, God help us. I have been saying "Merry Christmas" while out shopping, the looks of people are of relief that its ok, and they say it back. I will do my part to reprogram where I can,I am glad you get it too.
    Merry Christmas!
    Love
    Marcie

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  14. These are doable...I love the way these look, thanks for sharing ~I'm gonna go gather some grapevine!

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Marty, here! Donna loves comments, and I faithfully pass them on to her. Thank you so much for visiting!