Yesterday I met with another volunteer since we were Packing Up Christmas at the historic farmhouse. We, also, work under our historic supervisor. It is almost mid-January and that means it is time to take down the artificial tree, holiday decor and pack it all away for next time.
In talking with our historic supervisor, I found out that years ago, we actually put up a real pine Christmas tree in the farmhouse. However, that got to be too much care and clean up. So, to make things easier, an artificial holiday tree now stands in the parlor. Unfortunately, the farmhouse loses the brisk pine scent from a real tree. However, the artificial tree fits the parlor’s ceiling perfectly and works nicely.
How to Pack Things Up
We pretty much know how to pack things up since we have been doing it for years.
First, all the glass ornaments are carefully removed from the tree. The vintage ornaments go into separate plastic bags. We have a few boxes of vintage looking ornaments which go back in their boxes. The star, lights, and faux popcorn strings come down and are, also, placed in plastic bags.
Every year, we put out the empty gift packages under the tree. Those same packages are packed away in a large clear plastic storage bin.
This year, we found enough faux candy canes to add a few to the tree. The rest of the faux candy canes make up the children’s stockings. Although, the candy canes are fake, they really look quite real. They are added to the holiday storage boxes along with the tree skirt.
We also use greenery and real pinecones on the mantel and in a kitchen basket. These things are also placed in storage boxes.
What Not to Pack Up
We have an area of the farmhouse where we keep most of the faux food. The fake oranges, tangerines, snowflake cookies, candy, and wax paper wrapped taffy go in the back room on the glass viewing case. Our historic supervisor comes back later to return all those food items to the proper bins. The drawers have labels on them for easy use.
Note: Some of the faux food items are years ago. However, they still look good enough to eat since and are only for display. Most of the “goodies” on display are located well from the table’s edge. We never want young children to pick it up and “taste” anything.
Whoops, during the holiday season, I accidentally knocked one the vintage nut picks behind the bookshelf. At some point, we need to pull it out, but we did not do this at this time.
The Collections Department also returns at some point to pick up all the vintage historically significant dishes and flatware. The volunteers do not pick up or handle the items from the Collections Department.
Ending Notes
Before leaving today, I showed everyone my recent donation of paper dolls. One set of paper dolls is in the image of Buster Brown and Tige. That set has lots of clothing items and hats to change the look of the Buster Brown paper doll. It was cute that some of the clothing had tabs on them labeled “A” and “B”. I guess you folded the “A” tabs before you folded the “B” tabs. Also, the Buster Brown and Tige figures had paper back supports so you could stand the paper dolls up. However, I don’t think that the Tige paper doll had any change out items with it.
Our historic supervisor is hoping to be able to display the paper doll set sometimes this spring. Although she does her own research on the items, making sure everything is according to the era. A possible title for this new display is “Paper Dolls Used in Advertising”.
We left at this point, so I met the other volunteer for a quick pick me up cup of coffee at our local coffee shop.
All in a day’s volunteer work.
NOTE: None of the photographs on today’s blog came from the historic farmhouse. They are actually from a basement’s storage area.