Annandale homeowner ramps up holiday decorating with 16 Christmas trees
 |
| This is the biggest of the 16 trees at the Schwaninger home. |
So you decorated a tree and put out some greenery and a candles and think your home is ready for Christmas?
You haven’t seen a Christmas house until you’ve seen the over-the-top decorations at the home of Bob Schwaninger, the Annandale Blog’s humor columnist, complete with 16 beautifully decorated trees. There’s at least one in every room, bathrooms included.
Bob and Jennifer Hulbert have been working on the house for weeks and even hired a professional Christmas decorator to help out.
There are lovely Christmas scenes on every table and window sill; hundreds of gingerbread houses, Santas, snowmen, and wreaths all over the house; Christmas-themed paintings on the walls; and even a melting snowman in a bathtub.
The stairway is festooned with crystals, bows, and ornaments. There are holiday signs all over the bookshelves. Every inch of the house is covered with some sort of Christmas decor.
 |
| Bob and Jennifer Hulbert |
15 responses to “Annandale homeowner ramps up holiday decorating with 16 Christmas trees”
Leave a reply
Love the melting snowman. But I admit to my stomach feeling ill at all this excess and wondered if this was a joke. Why anyone would go so over the top is beyond my understanding but I guess it is what it is and I hope they enjoy every bit of it. I've been going for the less is more approach, but if you can live the dream why not?
The commenter's stomach aside, let me assist with a little background. First, we did not hire a professional decorator. All of the decor was the work of Jennifer Hulbert whose talent for decorating is unmatched. I did not hire her. I fell in love with her. And she has a talent that is obvious in every garland, wreath and bow. As for whether this interior art represents "excess", it does. An excess of joy, peace, friendship, and love that we shared with around 100 friends on Saturday Night. So let me help you with your understanding, dear commenter. The last 10 years have brought me much sorrow where Christmas was little more than "a joke". Having written two books about the joy of the season made it all the more ironic. So, "less is more"? No it isn't when you are trying to fill your heart with a happiness that has eluded for so long. Frankly, more is more and the more the merrier. Now I hope you understand.
This is amazing! In a world of drab, be merry! #lifegoals #christmasineveryroom
Wow, this is American materialism at its finest. I thought Christmas was about being thankful and helping those who are less fortunate. This is a completely unnecessary waste and a blatant display of wealth. Seriously, just what are you trying to prove? I find this so distasteful.
You couldn't be more wrong. These decorations were beautiful, tasteful, and joyful. Read the explanation above from "unknown."
Bob Schwaninger couldn't be more deserving of the happiness he has found. His home shows nothing more than love. Good for you Bob! Best wishes on continued happiness.
Well, I understand how sorrow can make holidays difficult and if this fills your heart with joy then I wish you as much joy as your heart can hold. And even with sorrow it's important to acknowledge the holidays as they connect us with those who have gone before. I haven't been able to afford a tree for the past 5 years so 18 feels like a lot of joy. It is a beautiful expression of artistry and I hope you enjoy them and it fills the up the places that hurt.
Joy!
All year long I work to help others. My area is affordable housing in Fairfax County where I have had my share of successes and challenges. The plight of the working poor in the County is of special significance to me. To the end of trying to help those deserving persons I spend hours and hours of labor, thought and caring. But this thing was personal to me. A celebration of life, love, and sharing with many people who had never seen something like this before. "American materialism"? "Trying to prove?" I don't know about the former but about the latter, yes there was something in my statement. "Merry Christmas to everyone and happiness to those who have a right to joy…meaning everyone." Finally, "Anonymous" give me a call and I'll buy you a tree. It would be my pleasure to share the joy of the season and for you to get to know me and not your (respectfully, always respectfully) uninformed opinion of me. Doing so would also help fill up the places that hurt and make me thankful for our new friendship. I look forward to that occasion as I have shown that I am looking forward to life, love and the joy of the season. May we be a part of that celebration.
There are alwats Grinches eager to pee on everyone's parade. Ignore them – they cannot be helped because they wallow in misery. This is a wonderful expression of joy and you've brought a smile to my face.
Your house looks beautiful. I love the white snowman tree. That's really clever!
Gee, where is this house. I would loved to have had a tour and even paid my way in for donating to a worthy cause.
As a long-time friend of Bob Schwaninger and attendee of the party, I found the whole event a wonderfully thrilling bit of holiday escape. A new love and a big party seem just the needed salve to Bob's heavy heart. Sometimes you just gotta say, "What the heck?" and go for it. Bob, I'm glad that you've found new happiness and thank you so much for putting extra juice into this year's holiday festivities. Thanks for including my wife and me. It was grand!
From the other side of the fence – "Anonymous"
Wow I'd love to see it in person.
This looks like a wonderful display of a lifelong collection of curated Christmas decorations, from the comical to the treasured mementos, all put out at once. Some years I've got the joyful spirit to put out all of my decorations all over the house, and other times, it's with great effort that a few decorations get up that eventually helps to put me back into the holiday spirit. Bob Schwaninger, if you can find joy (and energy) to decorate to the fullest, go for it. Even better that you share you joy and open your home to family and friends to spread the holiday spirit. (I would love to see the decorations if you still have them up!)