Merry Christmas! (Some GDM Team Memories)
We hope that you all had a very merry Christmas and happy holidays thus far. For many of us, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite pastime during December. It’s especially nostalgic when you take out that beloved ornament that brings back memories of yesteryear.
Here are some favorite ornaments and the memories that they evoke from a few of our team members:
Little. Musical. Pinecone. Elves. The words come together to form this sweet little trio. My parents purchased these in 1964 for our first Christmas in my childhood home, the year I was four. We had a large hearth with flagstone display shelves, which my mother festooned with evergreen garland, ribbons, small packages and figures. I was so proud when my father held me up, so that I could tuck the miniature musicians among the fragrant branches, forming a little orchestral vignette. They have been a part of my Christmas décor ever since, through my childhood, my daughter’s childhood, and now my grandchildren’s. Truly making music and celebrating the holidays with us for 45 years! – Martha Kirkpatrick, Director, Member Services
My mother’s side of the family is Cuban, moving to the US from Cuba almost 50 years ago. My
family is big on continuing its Hispanic traditions, so my sister and I grew up celebrating El Día de los Tres Reyes, or Three Kings Day, on January 6 of each year. Every Christmas my family would set up two separate trees – a larger Christmas tree that we would place all of the presents under, and a much smaller Christmas tree that my sister and I would decorate on our own. At the top of the first tree we would place an angel, but we always topped the second tree with a star to represent the star the three magi followed. On January 6 each year, my sister and I would sing along with our mother to a song about the three kings. It was a childhood tradition that I looked forward to every year, so the star tree‐topper will always hold a special place in my heart. – Amanda Butterworth, Director, Creative Services
One year ago, my fiancé and I decided to start a Christmas tradition where we picked out a Christmas tree ornament 
once a year. With this being our first tree and start to a new tradition the choice to start at the top was an easy one. Enjoying a favorite pastime, we were strolling the Charlottesville downtown mall, and spotted an angel in the window of a local shop. We went inside, and after careful examination we knew this was the one. The angel was made of metal screen and had a silver finish with gold accents around her wings and skirt. The halo looked as if it were made of a bird’s nest. It was perfect! The angel has stood on top of our tree for two years now, and will proudly be the focal point of our Christmas tree for years to come. – Lolly Rush, Senior Associate, Member Services
One of my favorite Christmas ornaments is a commemorative White House ornament. Although I have collected these for years, I do have a certain favorite. The ornament has an eagle on it, and it reminds me of my father. He was a WWII veteran, who at the age of 40 built a business that was so respected, he actually renovated and restored the Office of the Vice President, and many other executive buildings in DC. This ornament reminds me that we live in a wonderful country, where our possibilities are only limited by our own imagination and drive. – Margie Strickland, Associate Director, Accounting Services
We hope that your Christmas and New Years is a time filled with both memories of the past and visions for the future.
Author: Alexandra Gibson
Alexandra is the CEO of Gibson Design Management and Managing Partner of interior design firm, Gibson Design Group. When she's not busy trying to build an empire, you can find Alexandra riding a horse, giving back to the community, playing with her Scottie, McCord, or drinking a martini (preferably not all four at once).
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