Colonial Williamsburg's Christmas Decorations by Cynthia Howerter

Colonial Williamsburg’s Christmas decorations are legendary. Arriving in the colonial capital last week to celebrate Thanksgiving, I was delightfully surprised to find many doors and windows already adorned with beautiful Christmas wreaths, swags, and decorations. Not to mention that the people in Williamsburg are among the friendliest and most hospitable I’ve ever met! Please join me on a stroll through Colonial Williamsburg.

On my way to a tea at Christiana Campbell's Tavern, I met these lovely colonial ladies. Three beautifully-dressed generations of the Rapp-Agnew women traveled across Virginia to attend the tea! Please meet my new friends Betty Rapp, Pam Agnew, Katherine Agnew, and Elizabeth Agnew.



Don't the cheerful decorations at Christiana Campbell's Tavern make you want to go inside for tea and scones?



 





One of the trademarks of the Colonial Williamsburg wreaths and swags is their incorporation of locally-found items. Note the oyster shells and colonial clay pipes on this wreath at the Christiana Campbell Tavern. I'm sure many a patron enjoyed oysters and a pipe at a leisurely supper inside this historic restaurant.



The entrance to the John Greenhow Store uses an old Williamsburg favorite - the half-moon swag decorated with apples, pineapple, boxwood, and magnolia leaves hangs above the doorway.  Unadorned pine roping outlines the door frame. 



 



The fruit and greenery on this traditional colonial swag are actually mounted on a wooden board with protruding nails that hold the fruit in place.

 



For their oval swags, which hang to either side of the entrance door, the John Greenhow Store used pine, pine cones, apples, dried orange slices, and dried lotus pods. The fragrance was divine!











The entrance to this shop couldn't be simpler. A plain pine swag surrounds the door frame while two small wreaths accentuate the top corners.





A Christmas wreath can be simple and inexpensive yet visually appealing. Can you smell the fresh pine and apples?  Mmm.



This shop on Duke of Gloucester Street used a small swag on the porch's corner post. 















The designer used vivid colors to make a bold statement on this simple swag composed of wheat, larkspur, yarrow, dried flowers, and lotus pods covered with a green substance.





The Tarpley, Thompson & Company Store used fragrant pine roping and a wreath loaded with fruit to help put its customers in the Christmas spirit.







The large Tarpley-Thompson Store wreath uses apples, pinecones, pomegranates, oranges, artichokes, yarrow, and pine.

The vibrant colors of this wreath draw the eye to the door of this private residence. Surely a crackling fire and hot wassail await inside!





This homeowner took advantage of the porch's distinct architectural features to accentuate it with two unique swags.





A variety of dried flowers - all grown in Williamsburg gardens - adorn this beautiful swag.

This highly colorful but small window swag shouts cheerfulness. The grain, Chinese lanterns, yarrow, and sunflowers are all grown locally.







The owner of this private residence chose two matching swags on either side of their front door for their Christmas decorations. Can you see the pheasant feathers protruding from the tops and bottoms of the swags? 












I love the way this swag uses sunflowers, oyster shells, boxwood, bittersweet, pine, and greens. I'm sure the sunflowers will be a hit with the local feathered friends once they find them!



I hope you’ve enjoyed strolling through Colonial Williamsburg with me! Why not plan to visit this beautiful, friendly town over the Christmas holidays? 

All photographs ©2013 Cynthia Howerter

Award-winning author Cynthia Howerter loves using her training in education, research, writing, and speaking to teach and inspire others about a time in America that was anything but boring. A member of the Daughters of the American revolution (DAR), Cynthia believes history should be alive and personal.

Visit Cynthia's website: Cynthia Howerter - all things historical