Holiday Collections, a Garland Family Tradition

By Mary Beth York

Each holiday season, the phrase “the hostess with the mostest” is a spot-on praise of lifelong Mariemont resident Sandra Garland! Sandra’s home is as warm and welcoming as her smile, and her beautiful Christmas collections are sweet reminders of time-honored holiday traditions.

During her 27 years as a member of the Garden Club of Mariemont, she has graciously hosted the annual Christmas Tea eleven times! And her impressive collection of 697 Christmas Trees and nearly 200 Santa Clauses solidifies her as being the Garden Club member with the most Christmas collectibles.

In preparation for her December entertaining, Sandra spends a week in early November to unpack the 18 boxes of decorations. Working room by room, she creates new groupings and displays, or she recreates old favorites by referring to photos. The cozy Shaker home décor compliments her handmade Christmas collections of quilts, mini punch needle art, a felt mitten ornament tree, and a very special tabletop tree of over 30 needlepoint ornaments representing the years of friendship with each crafter.

Each vignette is planted with lots of bottle brush trees ranging 1 to 6 inches tall, leaving no space untouched. Heavy crocks and baskets are left in place and dressed up for the holidays with all sorts of trees; many include Sandra’s favorite bird, the Cardinal.

Sandra refines her collections by editing out the less desirable pieces. New purchases are then limited to ongoing collections, such as redware and salt glaze pottery Santas, or specific artists, such as David T. Smith and Eldreth Pottery. She keeps records of the treasured objects holding her memories and includes notes of which child or grandchild is deemed the future owners, to carry forth her traditions.

As for those traditions, they can sometimes evoke a range of emotions and memories. Sandra shared that the Garland Family adds a Red Cardinal ornament each year to one specific tree in memory of a family member that passed away. This

“Over 80 Years of Service”

tradition of collecting Cardinals provides comfort and family unity. And the revered Garland tradition of counting trees and Santas is enjoyed by the family as well as guests.

Who will win bragging rights among the ladies of the Garden Club? Good thing this Town Crier issue comes out after the Christmas Tea so as not to spoil the highly contested seek and count tradition!