Oh Christmas Tree!

How lovely are thy branches

By Muffie Vardell Wells

Photography by Robert Clark

Jack Brantley’s Christmas tree is famous in Camden and among customers of his Aberdeen Catery. According to Doug Vinson, who organizes the purchase and installation, the fattest tree that will fit in Jack’s living room at historic Aberdeen goes up without fail Thanksgiving weekend. Jack’s ornaments, illuminated by large colorful outdoor bulbs, are a collection of years of employee gifts, trips to Gatlinburg, Christopher Radko favorites, and unique finds from his sister Barbara, who has traveled seven continents over the past 20 years. Jack’s theme is always tradition with a twist. He wants his friends and family to enjoy something new each year with his splendid display of old and new favorites. The one constant is Barbara’s angel crowning the glorious treetop — always!

Christmas trees are the heart of a festive home during the holiday season. Whether you decorate with a certain theme and color scheme or with homemade, vintage, and heirloom ornaments, Christmas trees reflect personality.

After a real or artificial tree is carefully placed, it is dressed with Christmas lights, a tradition that evolved from candles in 17th century Germany symbolizing Christ as the light of the world. Strings of lights are now offered in a multitude of options, which allows creativity and license for an artful backdrop — large colorful retro bulbs, small frosty white ones, or neon blinking and twinkling — just to name a few.

After hanging the lights, the tree takes on a character of its own with the placement of various ornaments, size, and themes for decorating. Christmas magic is visible in these Columbia area homes, ranging from simple to opulent. Be inspired and start a new tradition for decorating your 2019 Christmas tree!

Karli and Gabriel Reynolds’ Christmas tree is inspired by Dr. Seuss’ whimsical, crazy, colorful children’s books. For the past five years, Karli has used a theme of lime green, black, and red with her artificial tree, but she says it is always evolving. Karli does all the decorating herself, often traveling to stores like Carolina Pottery to create the explosion of color with bows and ribbons that sprays across the tree from top to bottom. Perfectly wrapped gifts are placed for color and balance. Handmade ornaments by her two children, Pressli, 9, and Larkin, 6, give the tree a personal touch.
Karli and Gabriel Reynolds’ Christmas tree is inspired by Dr. Seuss’ whimsical, crazy, colorful children’s books. For the past five years, Karli has used a theme of lime green, black, and red with her artificial tree, but she says it is always evolving. Karli does all the decorating herself, often traveling to stores like Carolina Pottery to create the explosion of color with bows and ribbons that sprays across the tree from top to bottom. Perfectly wrapped gifts are placed for color and balance. Handmade ornaments by her two children, Pressli, 9, and Larkin, 6, give the tree a personal touch.
Columbia City Ballet executive and artistic director William Starrett assembles approximately 10 Christmas trees in his historic Laurens Street home, each with a different theme to accent the room and its holiday decor. He displays his expansive collection of nutcrackers in honor of the beloved Nutcracker Ballet up both sides of the staircase of his grand entrance hall. His gold tree accented with golden twinkling lights sends the sparkle of Christmas throughout the gracious hall full of Christmas treasures. William loves decorating for parties for the Columbia City Ballet, where he danced for 33 years. He has also performed with 40 different companies in more than 29 countries.
Columbia City Ballet executive and artistic director William Starrett assembles approximately 10 Christmas trees in his historic Laurens Street home, each with a different theme to accent the room and its holiday decor. He displays his expansive collection of nutcrackers in honor of the beloved Nutcracker Ballet up both sides of the staircase of his grand entrance hall. His gold tree accented with golden twinkling lights sends the sparkle of Christmas throughout the gracious hall full of Christmas treasures. William loves decorating for parties for the Columbia City Ballet, where he danced for 33 years. He has also performed with 40 different companies in more than 29 countries.
Donna Strom’s home is blessed to have floral artistChad Ridenour decorate for the Christmas season. Her glorious tree is centered in her living room by the fireplace with all new glass ornaments, acquired since the 2015 flood, mostly made by Mark Roberts and Christopher Radko. The skillfully handcrafted, collectable Radkos are Polish-made, featuring favorite Christmas symbols and exclusive Radko themes. Mark Roberts’ ornaments are complementary collectible jewels that sparkle and shine. This year the tree features blinking lights for the first time and a ring of red poinsettias around the base of the tree, both added by Chad.
Donna Strom’s home is blessed to have floral artistChad Ridenour decorate for the Christmas season. Her glorious tree is centered in her living room by the fireplace with all new glass ornaments, acquired since the 2015 flood, mostly made by Mark Roberts and Christopher Radko. The skillfully handcrafted, collectable Radkos are Polish-made, featuring favorite Christmas symbols and exclusive Radko themes. Mark Roberts’ ornaments are complementary collectible jewels that sparkle and shine. This year the tree features blinking lights for the first time and a ring of red poinsettias around the base of the tree, both added by Chad.
Ansley Whiteside’s fresh Fraser fir tree is artfully decorated with vintage ornaments collected from childhood, wedding gifts, and travels with her husband, Brooks. Ansley always places an angel on top. She loves the old-fashioned tinsel dripping like icicles from the branches. She uses vintage ribbon on brown paper to wrap the gifts. In the background, a garland with cotton from an Estill family Thanksgiving reunion hangs on her cottage mantel in the dining room.
Ansley Whiteside’s fresh Fraser fir tree is artfully decorated with vintage ornaments collected from childhood, wedding gifts, and travels with her husband, Brooks. Ansley always places an angel on top. She loves the old-fashioned tinsel dripping like icicles from the branches. She uses vintage ribbon on brown paper to wrap the gifts. In the background, a garland with cotton from an Estill family Thanksgiving reunion hangs on her cottage mantel in the dining room.

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