New to us was a trip to Colonial Williamsburg the weekend after Thanksgiving, when Christmastide festivities begin with peeks of Christmas decorations in grand Colonial Revival style.
So far the earliest we’ve come for Christmas has been during Grand Illumination weekend.
Since college finals are late this year, we won’t have another opportunity for a colonial Christmastide.
Therefore, we looked forward to the colonial atmosphere of Christmastide and an opportunity to shop for Christmas presents.
Of course we worked in programs that were available, between which we oohed and aahed over decorations.
Even though many decorations are up by Thanksgiving, the decorators have until Grand Illumination to finish hanging all the wreaths, which is another week away.
Surprisingly we saw quite a few wreaths that were already gracing the doorways, which were nice and fresh, since they were recently hung.
Most unique in the historic area are the apples inside the niches at the Palmer House, near the Capitol.
JAMES MADISON
Behind the Charleton Coffeehouse we entered the time machine to arrive in 1773 and meet James Madison.
With his collegiate studies complete, he was wondering what to do with his life.
Emphasizing his love of books, he also articulated his ideas of freedom, which many of us today recognize in the Constitution.
SILVERSMITH
Escaping the cold front that arrived in town, we entered the Silversmith shop to keep warm and watch the latest creations.
MILLINER
Then of course we had to visit the milliner shop, which is right next door.
TAILOR
We also visited the tailor.
Those small brown breeches in the photo below are based on in the Colonial Williamsburg museum, that were for a small boy.
That was the prototype of the ones I recently hand sewed after taking a class with the tailor.
COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON
While stepping out of one of the shops, we saw Colonel George Washington, who stopped to chat with us.
