When last we met, I was telling you all about our very strange time-traveling existence in this colonial capital we call home. I don’t know where to start other than by saying it only gets weirder. Let’s talk holiday decorations!
When I was approached about writing this post, I was rather hesitant. My assumption was/is that you would want an in-depth report of colonial revival-themed holiday wreaths. I thought you would want me to tell you about the significance of the pineapple or what the heck an osage orange is (Google it. They are so weird and cool!). We have an incredibly talented group of individuals that pull together the most amazing displays of holiday decor every year. The beauty that goes up in the Historic Area is unmatched. And you probably still want to hear all of that, but alas, you are stuck with me.
Last year, after hours of wrestling with our Harry Potter wreaths, I swore off all plant life. Or so I thought. Apparently I’m a sucker for a challenge. Although my six-year-old son didn’t leave me much choice when he declared our 2015 theme would be Star Wars. His one request? “One wreath has to have lightsabers. I don’t care about the rest of them.”
Eventually, my exhaustion from last year faded and I started to get excited about wreath making again. Although I would like to point out the added pressure I felt with the new movie coming out and it being so universally recognizable. Plus, in the real world, I could have just run to Target and mounted a storm trooper helmet on some greenery. But I don’t live in the real world. I live in the Colonial Capital. And decorating here comes with rules, rules I respect. With that said, game on…
At some point earlier this year, I was lamenting my struggle over this lightsaber wreath (as well as all the others), and my incredible friend Jenny said she could help. I knew Jenny was a talented tinsmith and a generally creative person, but I was still blown away when she actually turned up with “lightsaber handles.”
She is now the only 18th-century lightsabersmith in the world! Let’s be honest. J.J. Abrams really had it easy making this new episode that is coming out. He had a huge budget, all the special effects in the world, even Harrison Ford (Feel free to call him and ask him to remake the whole thing with apples and rope and then we will see what happens!). Luckily, I had Jenny and many other stars. Stars like Emma who is an expert in leather working. Between the two of them, they engineered a colonial replica of Chewbacca’s bandolier. What do you think?
I also had Ramona. Besides being an amazing Cooper, Ramona has the most beautiful penmanship you have ever seen. That handwriting that adorns my front door wreath? Yeah, she was able to scratch it out with a quill and ink in no time at all.
Beyond my aforementioned rebel army, there were tons of other people whom I called on for masterful advice. I can’t tell you how many people I tracked down or many conversations I started with “is it 18th century accurate if I…”
As if the theme wasn’t insane enough, this year’s construction phase ended up being equally crazy. Still, there is a very funny camaraderie that occurs in the post-Thanksgiving week when you live in the Historic Area. Most of the residents who do their own decorations do it in the days leading up to Grand Illumination. At the same time, we’re all also still responsible for work—many putting in more than the standard 40 hours to support holiday programming. Then, there are children to take care of, school, and visiting relatives. So, while we may start out creative and inspired, in the weeks that follow—we slowly turn into sleep-deprived grinches.
Oddly enough, the ordeal manages to bring us together. Sometimes it’s in the form of a Facebook rant where we all unite to declare our hatred of various 18th-century approved materials. Other times, it’s a series of group text messages filled with rage as one or another item decides it is going to do its best not to be (or stay) attached to a wreath.
In fact, there may or may not have been a conversation about potentially sticking some silk ribbon on whatever the horses left in the street that day and putting that on a front door in the hope of getting some sleep before holiday. Personally, I think my wreaths are 90% held together by The Force and the other 10% wire. There’s also the 20 hours of my life I will never get back. Still, in the end, it all comes together and the Historic Area is transformed into a stunning display and collection of all of our hard work.
Which brings me to today. The wreaths are done, up, and better than I could have ever imagined! The kids are absolutely thrilled and I am happy to report thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience we had as a result of this. So often here in Williamsburg, I hear people say they can’t imagine how people survived/lived/changed the world in conditions “like this.”
If I learned nothing else from this absolutely ridiculous, self-inflicted series of shenanigans, it is that you actually can do pretty much anything with what you have available. “Necessity is the mother of invention” they say. And while none of our nation builders ever had to make a lightsaber handle on the fly, the fact is they could have.
So now that I’ve completed my history lesson for this holiday season, I’m going to sit back and enjoy the hilarity that comes with listening to the laughter and squeals of guests like you when that light bulb goes off and you figure out the theme of our little colonial house.
And who knows? Maybe J.J. Abrams will stop by so we can discuss our undoubtedly similar Star Wars production experiences. For now, I am just going to hope that my children are really into plain green circles next year…
We would like to extend a special thanks to local photographers Cindy McEnery and Fred Blystone for sharing the above (spectacular) images of Katherine’s one-of-a-kind wreaths!
GUEST BLOGGER: KATHERINE MORRIS AINSLIE
Katherine is the Externship Program Coordinator for the William & Mary Law School. She has four children - Alexandra (12), Senet (6), Thaine (5), and Flynn (2). Katherine and her significant other, Alex Morse, are avid board gamers and boast an impressive and ever-growing collection of games. Beyond having their weekly board game parties, Katherine loves hosting visitors and throwing big parties including their famous annual Kentucky Derby party. She also enjoys British costume dramas, obnoxiously bright colors and patterns, cooking, & consuming large quantities of Aromas coffee.
Enjoyed your wreaths the week between Christmas and New Years. Missed running into Alex this trip, well next time.
Beth says
We loved your house. Many pictures can home as memories. Is it too soon to day can’t wait the see what you do next year?lol
Julie says
Wonderful creativity in your wreaths! I lived in Williamsburg for 7 years, including 4 as a William and Mary student, and I love Williamsburg at Christmas. Do you have any pictures of your Harry Potter wreath from last year?
Anna Vinnikova says
My kids and me enjoyed the Star Wars wreaths and would love to see pictures of the Harry Potter wreaths!
We walked by your house during Grand Illumination weekend, and were busy taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful day. When I walked up to read the scroll on your wreath I squealed with excitement, and called to my husband. I think a few other people noticed and were looking at me funny! We will be back the week between Christmas and New Year’s and I can’t wait for our son to see it! Thank you! It is always a joy to be in Williamsburg, and have these special memories!
It’s wonderful that you can enjoy the wreath-making and have fun doing it! You have given me a new perspective on the decorations and that they do not have to 100% reflect the past but can bring the present (future?) into the mix. Christmas and the holidays in Williamsburg always feel more holiday-ish to me - and I look forward to being there in 2 weeks!
Then my mission is accomplished! Thank you! Happy Holidays and may the force be with you! 🙂
If there was a People’s Choice award you’d have my vote! Fan-tastic!
I imagine it’s pretty noisy around your house these days; I was down there Saturday and visitors couldn’t get enough of your decorations! I had to fight the crowd to get a picture!
Thank you! I think we will mention to the administration that they should add that category. It has been busy, but we love it. So much laughter and happiness on our doorstep… What more could you ask for? Especially at Christmas!
Brilliant! I love your creativity. Merry Christmas!
Thank you! Merry Christmas!
It is a shame that the beautiful Colonial Williamsburg decorations have been degraded to modern day off the wall movies such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. Colonial Williamsburg wreaths should show the same traditional decorations as in the past. If this is learning from the past I have another name for it.
That goes with calling Duke of Gloucester Street DoG Street. What a disgrace!
It’s a shame you feel that way, but I have followed all of the rules set by Colonial Williamsburg and my children are thrilled, so I won’t be convinced it is anything but a success. Also, it is worth noting that the wreath tradition was set, not in the 18th century, but in the same century Star Wars was originally released. I appreciate you sharing your opinion though!
We were so excited to find the Star Wars decorations! We noticed Princess Leia first, and realized the whole place was Star Wars! They looked fantastic! The candlestick lightsabers were hilarious!
The Osage Orange is also called the Bowdark tree because the American Indians used it to make their bows. It is strong and pliable. It is native to Arkansas and Texas.
Marsha Heien
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Interesting! Here in Pennsylvania, we call the Osage Orange “Monkey Ball.”
We LOVED your decorations! As huge Star Wars fans we were delighted to see how you incorporated the theme into your wreaths. Well done! The Diethorn Family from California, PA
I love the one that appears to be Yoda. They are all great. Wish we could there to see them in person. Thanks for sharing.
The Yoda wreath!!! YESSSSS!!!!! I mean I love them all, but especially Yoda!
Well done, this is.
Oh, this is priceless!!! If I still lived in the ‘Burg, I would definitely wander down to find your house! Sharing with as many of my fellow alumni/fans as I can! 🙂
SO CLEVER! I love it! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I was able to be in Williamsburg last week; your display was quite the “talk” and crowd gathering along The Duke of Gloucester Street. Quite Creative! And … Ramona’s penmanship is art in itself!
Love this. Very cool. I hope to get there to see it in person.
My wife and I are coming to Williamsburg beginning Friday the 18, through Sunday the 20th. My wife and I have loved Williamsburg for many years and now we have the honor and great responsibility of bring our Daughter(a veteran of many trips as a youngster,) and 2 grandsons, one a real history buff. We are all excited as we can be about our trip. one of the thing we really anticipate is seeing how our favorite place is decorated for the holidays. my biggest anticipation is seeing my grandson learning first hand about the history of our country in the birth place of it all.
Thank you for making things beautiful and clean for our trip. I have often envied those like you who have made your
living your life.
Coach Morgan Hout
Missed The princesses “hair do”. Truly inventive. The force is strong in CW
Loved this post. I may be Star Wars challenged but can you explain the significance of the numbered oranges.
Its the number of films - but they aren’t in any order.
Thank you! The significance of the numbers is release order. So from the top clockwise it is Episode 4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3, ending with the one that comes out this week - 7.
We found this house on our first evening in Williamsburg and are happy to now be counted among the squealing, giggling masses that thoroughly enjoyed the decorations. I might not have stepped up on the porch to closer inspect the trimmings had the phrase “DEATH STAR” in bright red not caught my eye. Thank you for sharing your creativity and ingenuity with visitors to Williamsburg.
Thank you for appreciating it! Merry Christmas!