A Christmas Story

A traditional century home is the perfect setting for a classic Christmas

Text: Judy Uelk

Photos: Ashley Gieseking

November/December 2011

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“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
– William E. Vaughan, American columnist and author (1915 – 1977)

The magic of Christmas is indeed extraordinary. In it lies the ability to transcend time, transporting parents back to their own childhoods, wrapping children in the wonder of what just might be, and gathering families and friends in the spirit of love and understanding. Christmas is a time for traditions, nostalgia and remembering what is really important.

For Jen, Jay, Jack and Julia, Christmas is all that and more. Their nearly 100-year-old Georgian Revival home is the place where Christmas memories have been made for the past eight years. Stunning from the street, this home, adorned with 11 huge lighted wreaths hung from the windows with bright red ribbons, just feels perfect. Tall, stately firs aglow with thousands of twinkling white lights frame the doorway, welcoming friends and family and hinting at the holiday magic that beckons just beyond the threshold.

The gracious foyer, decked with traditional green garlands festooned with red ribbons and bows, dresses the entry with classic elegance. Just to the right, a deep red living room is the ideal backdrop for Christmas décor. The live Fraser fir tree, laden with hundreds of ornaments, each with special meaning to the family, is the crowning glory. “One of our favorite traditions," say Jen and Jay, “is finding the perfect Christmas tree. We love bringing it home, setting it up and decorating it with our favorite ornaments. We’ll bake chocolate chip cookies, sip hot chocolate, enjoy the fire and just spend time together. Some years, we’ve even spent the night sleeping on the floor beneath the tree. It’s really wonderful.”

All seven of the home’s fireplaces are embellished with Christmas finery that coordinates like jewelry with each room. “We enjoy decorating our home ourselves,” says Jen. "Jay’s dad, Tone, is so much help, too. He’s like a ‘Renaissance Man.’ If something needs doing, Tone can probably figure out a way to make it happen. We started decorating in a big way when our home was on the Villa Duchesne Christmas House Tour a few years back, and it just kind of ballooned from there. It’s fun to make the house come alive for Christmas.”

“Christmas Eve is also Jay’s birthday,” explains his wife, Jen, “so we have always had so much to celebrate!” That celebration includes a formal four-course sit-down meal for family, usually catered by Butler’s Pantry. “Butler’s Pantry does such a great job,” adds Jen, “and it’s so nice to be able to enjoy Christmas and Jay’s birthday and not have to worry about the food.” Jen does, however, enjoy setting her table and creating the joyful ambience that delights her guests every year. “I love a set table,” says Jen. “I love china, and Christmas Eve is the perfect occasion to use it. My mom also enjoyed china and gave Jay and me our first and second sets of Christmas china.”

“Carriage House Florals at Diane Breckenridge Interiors has been our 'go-to’ for holiday centerpieces for years," says Jen. "They always do such a great job on our florals. I love to add fresh greenery and fruit from the Kirkwood Farmers' Market to the table décor, too,” she adds.

Starting with champagne at the door, the magical evening progresses to passed hors d'oeuvres in the living room, where everyone gets a sneak peek at one special present. Then it’s into the dining room for a fabulous feast and finally back to the living room for coffee and presents, while grandpa, or "Pops," plays carols on the piano. Christmas card perfect, this delightful evening truly embraces the wonder of the holiday season. And it doesn’t matter if you’re eight or 88; the magic that unfolds within this home touches your heart and makes you wonder if there just might, in fact, be a Santa Claus.