Christmas 2000 at Folklore
© Virginia Marin
I love feather trees. These adorable little trees are thought to have been introduced into the American Colonies by Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War. They were made from goose feathers, with single and WIDELY separated branches sticking straight out, horizontally. The trees were secured in a container of some type. Feather trees are unique in that one invariably sees a little fence surrounding the trees. Enclosed within the fence is a nature or religious scene. Animals are always present.
Every Christmas my bears are dressed in their holiday finery ready for a party. This charming little group is enjoying a Christmas collation of Bourbon-Raisin Pound Cake and other treats.
I have a tree in every room but of all of my trees, I think this is probably my favorite to play with. It is a six-foot slender artificial forest tree, named Santa's Woodland Tree. It brightly sports miniature white lights and dozens of Santas, elves, pixies and fairies. I stick American Flags among the branches following Victorian tradition. The base of the tree is wrapped in burlap and tied with a big red bow. A snowy, woodland farm scene is enclosed within that ubiquitous fence. Out of sight in this picture is a dollhouse size farmer doll dressed in coveralls and a floppy hat, which my doggie reconfigured last year! Barn animals brave the elements as the farmer provides a Christmas treat.
Right after Thanksgiving, Santas and bearded gnomes, known as Belsnickles, appear in multiple holiday gatherings. Belsnickles are identified by their gnome-like beards and sprigs of evergreens or bags of sticks which they carry. They are dressed in hooded cloaks. Belsnickles came to America with the Pallatines and are much loved folk figures.
My collection has grown to one-hundred-ten beginning with a small plaster Santa candy container I received when but six years old. Most of the candy containers held only a few small pieces of candy, which children of long ago were happy to receive. Every mantle holds its own vignette of Santas, antique and new lambs, and bottle brush trees dating back to the thirties. Many of my vintage bottle brush trees were found at yard sales before folks realized their value to collectors.
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