PHOTO ESSAY

Unique barn-like home in Williamsburg bedecked with wreath, garland and spray.

Close up reveals three cone shapes placed at the bottom of the wreath–called ‘hats’ of sugar. Remember the saying “I’ll eat my hat”? That was not a Stetson—it was an expensive ‘hat’ of sugar.

Street lamps in old Colonial Williamsburg were made of a screen mesh filled with pine boughs, small sticks soaked in pitch, and other wood materials. They would burn and smoke for about two hours.

Beehives were a part of Colonial Williamsburg and play a role to this day.

British Flag still flies over the Governor’s Mansion in Colonial Williamsburg.

Members of the Church often compare Nauvoo with Colonial Williamsburg. Nauvoo has 31 restored sites. Williamsburg has 278. This is truly a walk back into the 18th century.

Crockery and hand-blown glass works made in Williamsburg are a popular item for tourists. Pieces are crafted after the 18th century pieces found in the homes and area.

Double shutter doors were common on the homes of Colonial Williamsburg. This one is decorated with wreath more in keeping with the times (except for the apples).

Close up reveals detail on elegant garland on doorway of home in Williamsburg.

Woman dressed in period costume and trained in the customs and etiquette of the day explains a Christmas meal to tourists. Festive meals had much smaller portions and much less variety than the Christmas meals of today.

Numerous fresh apples were used for these sprays decking this lovely doorway in Williamsburg. The pineapple was placed right at the center.

The centerpiece of Williamsburg is the Governor’s Mansion. Light touches of festive greenery turn this into such a magical place during the Christmas holidays.

Entrance into the Governor’s Mansion is decked with a lovely wreath. In reality, no one in 18th century Williamsburg would have used a pomegranate or any other fresh fruit to decorate their homes. Fresh fruits were rare and costly.

Elaborate and elegant garland full of fresh fruits, carefully dried flowers, native weeds and berries wraps around this doorway.

Very unique wreath made of fresh-picked cotton, pine cones, native weeds, fresh lemons and juniper boughs.

Come of the sites like The Nicolson Store in Williamsburg are brought into the Christmas spirit by a simple wreath on the door.

Some of the wreaths are not so simple. Again, no one in 18th century Williamsburg would have or could have used a pineapple or other fresh fruit for decoration at Christmas, but now, it has become a modern tradition in this place.

Though the leaves of the trees are gone at Christmas, the ivy and other plantings around and near the centuries old homes remind us of the freshness of life that Christ offers to us.

Colonial sentinel keeps watch over the streets of Williamsburg with open fire to keep him warm.

Authentic wreath made of fresh-picked cotton, tobacco leaves and wheat stalks.

Bare trees in winter give way to the beauties of the buildings in Williamsburg.

18th century home in Williamsburg has stood the ages. Many of the homes in Williamsburg are original structures, not restorations. Homes were bedecked in greenery and ivy and holly in the early days of this nation.

This original British symbol is found in the Governor’s Mansion. I had to put this in for John Pratt’s sake as he just talked about the Lion and the Unicorn on Meridian testifying of Christ.

Beautiful wreath made of native leaves more reminiscent of the times (with the exception of the pomegranates).

Wagons drawn by horses still sound through the streets of Williamsburg. Tourists enjoy the hundreds of period workers who play their roles as if still living in the colonial times.

House clothed in beautiful wreaths full of fresh fruits and cut pine boughs.

Woman dressed in period clothing helps tourists feel the spirit of the season. Wreath here is made with garlic cloves and hot red peppers.

Even at Christmas the workers continue to play their 18th century roles. This woodworker plies his trade and talks to the visitors as if he lives in yesteryear.

Close up of wreath on double-shuttered door made of grasses, dried flowers and apples.