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(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

(Courtland Wells/The Vicksburg Post)

The ambience emanated by Christmas lighting is one of the features David Girard loves about his home when decorated for the holidays. “The lights, reflections and shadows give the house a festive and relaxing feel. Sometimes at night we put Christmas music on and sit in the glowing of the lights and just relax and talk,” Girard said.

For 10 years, David and his mother, Rosa Anna Girard, have lived in their home in the Trace.

Located off Fisher Ferry Road, David describes the house as having a “French feel” and for the holidays, mother and son pull out all the stops making sure there is a little Christmas and Christmas tree in every room.

“I think the tree in every room started with my nieces and nephew,” David said.

At the time, he said, the children were eight, six and four years old when he and his mother had moved into the house, and by putting a tree in every bedroom room made it special for them.

“They aren’t large trees but tabletop size, they keep the feel of the season all through the house during their visit,” he said.

With trees in all four of the bedrooms, David admits, there is a lot of tree decorating going on.

“We usually have a total of 12 decorated trees ranging from two feet to 12 feet, plus we have three live lighted trees outside,” he said.

The 12-foot tree is the tallest tree decorated, David said, and is the most traditional Christmas tree in the home.

“It has the fancy ornaments, angels, and crystal snowflakes covering it to reflect the white lights,” he said, adding, “In the kitchen there is a nine-foot tree that has all the funny ornaments, the ones you made in school, souvenir ornaments from places visited. I’m excited that I have a Disney Magic cruise ship ornament I can add to the tree this year.”

David said his favorite tree was the one placed in the dining room.

In addition to it casting beautiful shadows on the walls of the room, he said, the dining room tree also has ornaments dating back generations.

“We call it the Antique Tree because the ornaments on it are old, some dating back to the late 40s.

“Many of these ornaments are also from when I was little,” he said, “While the 1940 ones are from my Aunt Camille.”

Then there is the addition of a small wild cedar tree in the back yard.

“It is approximately 115 feet from the back door at the edge of the yard where the tree line starts,” David said. “I noticed that it popped up one summer when I was cutting grass, so I placed a little rock border around it and it has grown ever since,” he said.

David now runs an extension cord out to the tree and wraps it with a strand of white lights.

He said seeing it lit up at night from inside the house is nice.

However, after last year’s snow the little tree has grown quite a bit, David said, and foresees having to add additional lights to the tree this year.

“It seemed to have had a growth spurt after our cold and snow last year. I’ll have to buy a couple more strains of lights for it this year.”

Because lighting is key when decorating for the holidays, David said, he also uses several strands of white lights in garland hung in the home and on the trees, outside, and on the courtyard wall. 

“I also use the small string of battery powered lights in all kinds of places so there is plenty of light even when you don’t have the regular lights on,” he said.

David and his mother also enjoy decorating by using Christmas linens.

“It just brings a subtle joy to the bedrooms,” David said, “Sleeping under a cozy Christmas quilt puts you in a great mood.”

David said he and his mom usually pull the quilts out after Thanksgiving and enjoy the blankets through Epiphany.

With the home glowing from the Christmas lights, David and his mother can also enjoy their holiday traditions.

Tradition includes a gift from son to mother.

“I always give my mom a nativity scene each Christmas. Some are large and some are small. They can be a figurine or even an ornament on the tree, and sometimes I will even give her more than one,” David said.

Other traditions include family coming for the holidays.

“I think our traditions are really like most people —  family coming to ‘granny’s house,’ Christmas music playing in the background, children playing and laughing and sisters helping in the kitchen. It’s the togetherness that makes it special,” David said.

The holidays are also when David and is mother open their home to friends.

“After our Christmas Eve service, we always invite people over. It’s a great evening and all that is requested is their presence and good cheer,” David said.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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