Williamsburg Decorations

I really became enamored with the Christmas decorations in Williamsburg this year.  I have seen pictures and heard how wonderful the decorations were, but seeing them in person really does not compare to pictures or books.  They really put you in the mood.  They are handmade, fresh and go from simple to over the top.  You can read about the tradition here.  Let me share some of the many, many pictures that I took of the decorations this year in the Revolutionary City.  All of these photos are on my FAA site if you are interested in purchasing a print or card.

When we arrived it was a cold and sunny morning. The streets that morning were empty except for a few costumed characters walking along the street.  Here is a view looking towards the Capitol from Wetherburn Tavern.

I just love this large wreath at the Tarpley-Thompson Store.  Fresh greens are adorned with artichokes, apples, pomegranates, oranges, dried flowers and pinecones.

This little bunting was almost hidden in the transom of a door of a house.  Keith pointed it out to me.  It is made from two playing cards and old newspaper.  Very cute!

Here you see a lovely swag above the Margaret Hunter Millinery Shop.  It has lotus pods mixed in the dried flowers, artichokes, pinecones and wheat.

Even the windows have matching corner swags!

This window was decorated both inside and out.  The tree inside looks like it may have fruits or little confections on it.  The wreath has apples and pomegranates mixed in.

I love the garland over the transom on the door of this house. It is made of apples and berries and coordinates with the wreaths.

And nothing is off limits when it comes to decorating.  This wreath has a wool braid and a single feather along with it’s pine boughs and pinecones.

This spray on the pediment at the Kings Arms Tavern has a rack of antlers along with dried flowers, lotus pods, magnolia leaves and pinecones.

Here you see oyster shells and dried sunflowers mixed together to make a spray above a door.

The window decorations even match the door spray at Pasteur and Galt Apothecary.  I never would have thought to put sunflowers and oyster shells together in a Christmas decoration but it looks just lovely.

The re-enactors even look festive in their red and green in front of the Wigmaker’s Shop.

The decorations at the Edinburgh Castle Tavern include garden tools, gourds and greenery.

Here is the rake, with artichokes, dried seed pods, dried fruit slices and a speckled gourd.

And many places showcased simplicity.  I love the large magnolia leaf wreath and simple pine garland on this porch.

The balcony at the Capitol was also simply decorated with a garland and wreath.

This was my favorite wreath.  Keith found it for us.  It was on a side street and it was so clever and cute.  And humorous!  The little wooden spoons are My Lady and His Lordship, and they have little white wigs!  They are darling!  The rest of the wreath has breads, rolls and pastries and dried fruits and peppers.  But those little wooden spoons with their little white wigs…they are adorable.

Well, I still have a lot more pictures to go through.  Maybe I will do another post, there are so many other decorations that I want to share.  But this should be enough to inspire you for next year.  I hope if you ever have the chance to visit Williamsburg at Christmas that you go and enjoy yourself.  We had a wonderful time and I hope we can go back again next year!