Christmas at Beachview
More accurately…Christmas at Beachview is the whole SEASON. It starts, unofficially anyway, the day after Halloween…November 1st, and runs through the Epiphany. This year, it started a few days behind schedule, as we had the most beautiful wedding last weekend, and we were not entirely certain that our bride would have shared the same yuletide enthusiasm.
Spend just a few minutes with Karen, our amazing innkeeper with unlimited energy, and she will happily draw you the “correct” calendar for Christmas. She decorates no less than 13 individual trees, porches, mantles, guest rooms, outside spaces, trees, doorways, etc. at the inn and spa, PLUS replicates the same in her personal homes both here and in North Carolina.
The Process!
The process is a labor of love, mostly shouldered by Karen, with help of some key elves, and involves humping countless plastic totes, bags, garland, lights and drop cords, mostly all of which are stored in the third floor of the inn. Karen does most of the decorating herself, as she seems to be the only one who can “fluff” the trees just right. Wendy handles the majority of the outside embellishments, which usually involves a LOT of lights (and accompanying frustrations therein) and zip ties. Frank handles…well, just about everything else!
Christmas Memories
Of all these ornamentations, one of the most fundamentally meaningful is the Christmas tree that occupies (literally) the center hallway of the main inn. There is nothing remarkable about the tree itself, although bedecked with at least a thousand white lights. When you take a closer look, however, you will see decades of history, in the form of globes, angels, and ornaments, nestled within its branches. Karen has been “collecting” these memories over the years and hangs each one, each year, in the most special place. And as she does, she recalls the memory or the meaning it represents, sometimes with sadness of someone who is no longer with us, sometimes of the time or place from which it was obtained or the event that it commemorates.
I’m willing to bet that this process happens in your homes as well…whether it’s that hand made macaroni angel your child made in second grade, or that crystal dove your mama gave you on your first Christmas in your new home, each represents something special. And, when you think about it, isn’t that the most beautiful reason to decorate?
So, as each one of you drags out those boxes and bags this season, we at Beachview wish you the most happy decorating experiences as you submerse yourselves in your memories and the love therein that is represented in those baubles you will hang from branches or prop on your mantle. And please do stop by the Beachview Inn and Spa and experience the love, beauty and our version of Christmas this year.
Make Plans to Visit!
We would love to see you this Christmas Season! Book online here or call us at 912-786-5500!