Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Decorating Different-ly

Wraith - His usual location
We are a theatrical family.
And by that, I mean that we are deeply involved in theatre.
Not that we are prone to theatrics in the home.
Ahem . . .
The Tolleys are known for things like – bursting into song spontaneously.
With everyone knowing the words.
Launching into long quotes at the mention of a single phrase.
Dressing up.
Our family was, quite literally, raised on the stage. (I can remember, on more than one occasion, saying to one of my kids, "Put your homework down! That was your cue!")
To anyone not so inclined, we're weird.
We do weird things.
We direct/perform in/produce plays.
We host Medieval feasts for no reason.
We dress up on a theme and invite the neighbourhood to come in and eat pie to celebrate . . . whatever.
To our neighbours, we are that family who doesn't do anything normally.
Even our Christmas decorating is a bit . . . I'm going to stay with the 'PC' term and call it . . . different.
We don't do lights.
We did, but we've gotten lazy.
Now our Christmas decorating consists of our Halloween decorating, plus a small addition.
Yep. Weird.
Wraith at Christmas
And, yes, that's a Humbug hat.
It's a Tolley thing...
Years ago, for her Theatre Production graduation project, our youngest daughter sculpted a wraith.
You heard correctly.
A wraith.
Nine feet tall and rather spooky looking.
We love it.
It comes out of our back yard every Halloween and is prominently displayed next to the front door.
Where it can scare the cookies out of the little 'trick-or-treaters'.
And where it usually freezes so solidly to the grass that it must remain through Christmas and into the spring thaw.
Sigh.
How do you hide a nine-foot-tall behemoth?
In plain sight.
You can see what I mean.
Yep. Christmas at the Tolleys.
Everyone welcome!

24 comments:

  1. Don't hide it, put those lights around it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Weird is just an anagram of Wired (differently).
    That wraith demands lights though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like fun time around your place.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A white beard and a santa hat could maybe even make your wraith look friendly ;) I love those weird traditions. We always forget one Christmas ornament somewhere in the house, and it's allowed to stay to next Christmas. Last year the halloween ornaments wanted equal rights - they got it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a total believer in equal rights. Year round Halloween decorations! I'm on it!

      Delete
  5. I love that your daughter made it for you. Your family sounds like so much fun.(Rena)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Personally, I think your family sounds like a whole lot of fun :)

    I like MotherOwl's idea of a beard for that wraith, to go with the hat! Although that snow on the shoulders is pretty decorative as well :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snow makes all things beautiful. Except when it's in heaps where you want to walk. Or drive. Or exist...

      Delete
  7. So cool! I bet that would scare the little ones on Halloween, but they probably also love it. I adore the way your family's theatrical. Sounds like fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've had a few refusals. Kids who won't pass it to get to the door. We have to 'deliver' then. Bring the treats to them!

      Delete
  8. Traditions! Make them up to suit yourselves!
    Our house is quieter than a mouse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree! That is the real beauty of traditions! You're welcome to join in. Some noise may be involved...

      Delete
  9. WRaith could become Santa for your house. I love it.

    I understand your theatrical life. It was mine too when I was in my 40s & 50s.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dramatic, spontaneous, funny, and original. I love people like you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We totally need you, SOAC! Either with us on the stage or cheering us on. Welcome!

      Delete
  11. You'd be the neighbor i would want. Have you thought of trying a hairdryer to thaw the feet of the wraith and get him unstuck? Then again, that would ruin the whole thing, wouldn't it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love it! just like my daughter leaving her Christmas tree up all year round and just swapping the decorations for what's appropriate for the season.

    ReplyDelete

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