I thought it would be fun this week between Christmas and New Year's to do something different. I have asked a couple of my friends and family members to write a guest post about something holiday-related.
Today, please welcome my dear friend Dawn, as she tells a little bit of what it was like growing up in a Christmas wonderland...
When I was little, Christmas at my house was always larger than life. My parents didn't spoil us throughout the year; rarely giving in to our pleas for trinkets at every grocery store visit or trips to Gibson's 5&10.
But Christmas.
Oh how I love the words, "but Christmas." Christmas was a whole different story. My parents love Christmas, and instilled in my sister and me a love for it, too. A love that extends far beyond all the beautiful decor and presents.
All through my growing up years, my family owned and operated a Christmas business. Well, not totally a Christmas business, but that's what it was to me. They imported and manufactured all sorts of display items, and Christmas decor was a huge part of their business. As a little girl, I frequently went to work with my parents and found lots of places to hide and pretend among the thousands of square feet of showroom and warehouse. There were Christmas trees decorated with every possible theme, twinkling lights by the millions, wreaths, garlands, glass balls, beads, beautiful ribbons, glitter by the pound and so much more. I grew up in a Hobby Lobby/Michaels/Garden Ridge all wrapped up with a bow before those places had ever even hit the streets.
My Granddad, Big Daddy, as his grandkids called him, had a huge vision for the city of Dallas. He loved sharing Christmas decor with the state of Texas, and he loved Santa Claus. At that time, back in the early 80's, we had the largest Santa Claus statue in the world. At least, in my opinion. Every July a crane came to our building and hoisted that huge guy up in front of our storefront for every passing car to see. He would stop traffic on the freeway. People couldn't help but stare at that huge Santa in the middle of the Texas summer. Christmas in July was a big deal in our business. That's when all the buyers secured their orders for their own stores...we sold more Christmas trees in July than in November and December. All because of the vision my Big Daddy instilled into my own daddy and his siblings.
Many malls and corporate businesses would contract with us to decorate their lobbies or their stores. Some of my favorite Christmas memories are of my cousins and me running around stores and closed banks after hours, riding elevators and creating all sorts of chaos as my parents decorated for them. My dad can bring a Christmas tree to life. I've been lots of places and seen beautifully decorated trees, but truly, none compare to what my dad can do with a box of glass balls, some plaid ribbon and a well placed beaded garland. He's got a talent all his own. And I wish I had an ounce of his gift. I don't. I should have helped more when I was little. I was too busy playing on the phone intercom at the store...always summoning my dad to the front counter in my commanding operator voice.
My dad was the creative mind behind the company. He had an eye for lovely things and could recreate something or pull it straight out of the air. Many decorations that we sold were his original creations and then the faithful servants in our warehouse manufactured them. We sold to Branson shows before we even knew what Branson was. Many shows still playing on the strip and some that have since closed were our customers. And even a little theme park that is the staple in our town was a big customer of ours. It's funny how life comes full circle like that.
As much as my family loved to bring the joy and the twinkle of Christmas into the Dallas area and beyond, they never failed to share why they celebrated the season. To us, it wasn't the evergreens so creatively decorated. It wasn't the beautiful wreath adorned with the golden bow. It wasn't the garland lining the balcony nor was it the stockings that were hung by the chimney with care. It was ALL about the baby. The innocent baby that came to save us. He saved our family. He blessed us immensely. He loved us unconditionally. He gave us a full and abundant life. That's what it is all about. That's what my Christmas-laden family instilled in me.
Oh how I wish I could adorn a tree like my dad. But more than that, I hope I teach my children what my Big Daddy and his son taught me. Jesus. He really is all we need.
