Christmas Tree 2021

If you’re a longtime reader of this blog or you actually know me, you probably already know I make most of my Christmas ornaments. I mostly use polymer clay, beads, and crystals from an old chandelier. Some favorites include Mr. Bingle, representations of my Pussyfooter uniforms from the 2015-2018 Krewe of Jingle parades, and little replicas of our wedding day in 2014. 

New Orleans decks many of its halls for the holidays but a favorite hallway is the lobby of the the spectacular Roosevelt Hotel.

Mardi Gras Tree 2016

Mardi Gras is about as early as it can get this year with Krewe du Vieux kicking things off on January 23rd! In New Orleans, we’re all eating King Cake. My genius friend and fellow Pussyfooter dancer ,Christine Miller of Two Chicks Walking Tours, hosts an annual “potluck” where women bring King Cakes from local bakeries and kitchens. (photo below by Elizabeth Zibilich). Like last year, I wasn’t able to attend but was the lucky recipient of a plate of samples from District Donuts Sliders Brew, Hi Do Bakery and the always amazing Manny Randazzo King Cakes. And like every year, I enjoyed the tradition of converting our home’s Christmas tree to a Mardi Gras tree.

Christmas Tree 2014

Readers of this blog know I’ve been working on 3 movies in the last 2 months – 2 at the same time. Though I feel abundantly blessed, it’s been difficult to shop for presents or even get into the holiday spirit. But, I did find the time to decorate our tree. I had big plans of making my annual Sculpey ornaments. I planned on a bride and groom dressed in our silly, fun wedding clothes. I also planned to make a Pussyfooter ornament with the 2014 uniform and, of course, the year-ahead-themed Baby New Year.

Mardi Gras Decorations (with a Django twist)

Though I love donating my Mardi Gras beads to Arc of Greater New Orleans and Stephan Wanger‘s Guinness-record-breaking mural, my favorite use of parade throws is decorating my home for the season. Though the NFL tried to create a “clean zone” where they could tell us what to decorate our houses with, what signs we could carry and what clothes we could wear (!!!) , the ACLU has stepped in to protect our right to party our way  (I, for one, will be wearing Saints gear every chance I get!). So, I’ve beaded my fence, wreathed my door and redecorated my Christmas tree as a Mardi Gras tree.

Christmas Gifts and T-shirts

Whether you’re shopping for Christmas or treating yourself, you could find reasonably priced gifts in my new virtual L.A. to N.O.LA store. Items are made to order, shipped to your door and can be customized. New Orleanians will enjoy the many items made just for them including t-shirts and sweatshirts identifying you as a “Native,” “Local” or “Resident” on a fleur de lis backdrop as well as “Throw me somethin’, Mister!” Mardi Gras shirts. I’ve also made a wide variety of Christmas cards and To/From gift labels, mostly featuring images of my handmade ornaments. The Christmas collection also features labels and a card just for Saints fans!

Oh, Christmas tree…

For years, my friend, Angela, and I have been making ornaments for our trees from Sculpy clay as well as beaded ornaments. We’d start between September and November and press through until the trees were up. Over the years, we enjoyed the ritual as well as the ornaments we’ve accumulated.

Fake tree, real Christmas

I’ve never had a fake tree before, never wanted one. My extended family has had a tree farm for 4 generations, real trees smell wonderful, they’re beautiful and they are a part of every Christmas in my home. I’ve heard it’s more ecologically friendly to buy a fake tree and reuse it, but it seemed… fake! Last year, I discovered the Mardi Gras tree tradition and realized that my trees now have to last until February or March every year. Hello fake trees!

Mardi Gras tree

I was mentioning how sad I was to be taking down my Christmas tree and my cousin said that many people here, especially those with artificial trees, don’t take down their trees – they just redecorate them for Mardi Gras.