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Each year after Christmas we visit family in the Newport News area and then spend the night in Williamsburg. We both love Colonial Williamsburg and it is a treat to get to see it decorated for Christmas.
Colonial Williamsburg is known for its Christmas decor and last year when we were there, I took pictures of wreath and doors that I especially liked. The decor that I’m sharing today is from Christmas 2018. I won’t see the 2019 decor until after Christmas.
Colonial Williamsburg Christmas Decorations
Our visit to Colonial Williamsburg each Christmas is only for one night. After visiting with family, we head to Williamsburg, and by the time we arrive, it is dark. We love walking around at night admiring the architecture and the decorations.
There are also Christmas trees to enjoy and even a skating rink on Duke of Gloucester Street. We never skate but it’s fun to watch and it makes you feel like you are in a Hallmark movie.
The next day we enjoy a second walk through the historic park and also through the campus of William and Mary.
Sherman is now very familiar with the area and we let him lead the way. Last year when we visited it was unseasonably warm and humid and poor Sherman wasn’t at all liking the heat.
Hopefully this year the weather will be a bit more seasonal, maybe with some falling snow for atmosphere.
Christmas Doors and Wreaths in Colonial Williamsburg
I took photographs of some of the Christmas doors and wreaths that I liked, but this is only a small handful of what there is to see in Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas. If you have never been there, I highly recommend a visit.
I don’t know the details behind the Williamsburg Christmas decor, but I do know that they have a talented team of designers. .
Christmas decor in Colonial Williamsburg is all about using items from nature. They are known for their use of greens, seed pods, fruit, dried flowers, shells, and horns.
I was really smitten with this wreath and I intended to make a version of it for my home but I never did. The deer part is covered in crushed oyster shells.
I must have taken the picture of this wreath outside of a midwife building. Most likely the flowers on the wreaths were grown in the historic park. They have lovely gardens to enjoy in warmer months.
I would display this one in my home year round.
This is another that would dry beautifully and could be enjoyed all year.
Williamsburg is known for its use of pineapples for Christmas decorating.
Pomegranates add a pretty pop of red.
This one combines cotton and lady apples.
This one is simply decorated with wooden stars and cinnamon sticks.
Beautiful badges like this one hang on either side of the front door on many Colonial Williamsburg buildings.
Writing this post has made me excited to see this year’s Colonial Williamsburg Christmas decorations. The decorations are different every year and they always are pretty.
Be sure to pin this post to remember next year as you are designing your Christmas wreaths and other decorations.
I can’t believe I’ve never been to Williamsburg! My niece went to college in Newport News but I never got down there. What a beautiful tour – those wreaths are gorgeous. I especially love the ones with the fruit. So pretty – pinned! Have a great day!
Shelley
Never visited at Christmas time, but I can tell it’s a must see! Lovely!
Williamsburg is a treat to visit in any season but especially at Christmas to enjoy the decor. Busch Gardens and Water Country are there making it a fun place for a summer family vacation.
Paula
Loved all the decorations. Looked like a lot of fun and something I would love to do. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful doors and wreaths.
I am so glad that you enjoyed the Williamburg decor. I am looking forward to seeing this year’s version.
Paula
I love your blog and very much look forward to your posts. I grew up in the Williamsburg area and never tire of their wreaths and natural decor. I’m sure you are aware that the Virginia colonists of the 18th century did not decorate so elaborately for Christmas and would have bemoaned the fact that so much food was going to waste! The decorations that we associate with that area date to the restoration done in the 1920s and coincide with the arrival of tourists. Thank you for a beautiful post that made me a bit homesick. Merry Christmas to you, Mr. SP and sweet Sherman!!
Thank you so much for your comment, Mary! I’m looking forward to visiting Williamsburg this year after Christmas. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
Paula
I absolutely love colonial Williamsburg. I have never been there for the Christmas season. We were going to go but never made it. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures.
I am glad that you enjoyed the pictures, Yarlette. I hope that one of these days you will make it to Williamsburg at Christmas.
Paula
I would choose the one you said you’d hang year round – it’s a beauty, and I love the one with pomegranates too. Williamsburg is a special place. I love the history of it all.
So do I, Rita. I am looking forward to going again this year after Christmas.
Paula
What pretty decorations! I can’t get over how many wreaths there are.
There are so many wreaths to enjoy there and they are all different. I’m looking forward to going back after Christmas this year.
Paula
Thank you for the lovely Williamsburg tour; I have never been but have enjoyed Old Sturbridge Village and Shelburne, Vt. Love the history. I’m afraid that if I had a fruit wreathe on my door, I would hear the blue jays or crows pecking at it and be SURE that someone was at the door!
I wonder if the Williamsburg designers have to replace the fruit over the Christmas season? I can imagine that birds so eat it. I have some neighbors with colonial style homes who use the over the door Williamsburg style decor with apples, pineapple, and magnolia. They all use faux that looks real.
I’ve been to Shelburne, VT but never to Old Sturbridge Village. I would like to go there someday.
Paula
I absolutely LOVE Williamsburg. I dream of being there for Christmas some year; would love to see it all decked out. When we visited a while back, my family went back to the hotel for a swim and I meandered the beautiful streets at dusk, snapping pics. I love the fences, the gardens, the architecture. Lucky you to get to go each year for Christmas! Thanks for the glimpse!