The Gillens.net

David and I enjoyed our holiday-time vacation last year to London so much, that we wanted to plan another vacation either before or after Christmas for this holiday season. I would be done with finals and between semesters starting on December 14. But being conscientious to our need to save some extra money before starting graduate school, we decided to travel domestically. David was very gracious and at one point said, “Sweetie, since you’ve worked so hard this semester, we can go ANYWHERE you want.” There was only one place I could think about visiting this time of year…Colonial Williamsburg! I had never been there before, and I could only imagine that during the holidays, the traditions and celebrations of Christmas over the States’ and colonies’ 400-year history would be wonderful to experience. Wonderful, delightful, tearful, joyful, and beautiful only begin to describe how amazing our trip was to Williamsburg, VA.

DAY 1: Having blazed through the past several months at a break-neck pace, I was certain David and I would probably just want to check into the hotel and relax most of the first day. After landing early and checking in, our hotel room was not quite ready, so we decided to drive around and get our bearings. Little did we know that we wouldn’t make it back to the hotel until well after dark!

As soon as we headed down Duke of Gloucester Street, we were so drawn in by the perfect, quaint beauty of the town…there was no turning back! We started with a show and reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Capitol. We spent some great time in the cool, sunny weather walking the town and admiring the hand-made wreaths on all the doors of homes and kitchens. And after dinner, we joined other visitors and townsmen at the taverns for caroling. The fifes played several songs before the choir arrived to lead the singing. David and I stood near a warm fire and enjoyed our open-air Christmas caroling before deciding to call it a night and head to the hotel.

DAY 2: Yes! Sleep! I haven’t known what it is to get up after the sun has risen in a very long time. David and I finally got moving and headed for a run late in the morning. We ran down Duke of Gloucester and past the College of William and Mary. It was a cool, cloudy morning, and the run was perfect to get us excited and ready to do some more exploring. That is, after a huge breakfast buffet and post-buffet nap. Yes! More sleep!

We made it back to the museum around 1 p.m. and went on a Christmas decorations walking tour. We saw a number of decorations from the previous day, but the guide showed us some special out-of-the-way decorations that we really enjoyed. One kitchen baked a number of gingerbread horses and made 3 horse-themed wreaths for the front door and windows. It was one of our favorites. Other decorations were made from all kinds of fresh flowers, vegetables, and fruits that persons back in colonial days might have access to. Christmas trees and other decorations were not a tradition during the colonial period. After being restored, Williamsburg first Christmases were noted as rather bland without decorations, so it was decided that wreaths and greenery would be appropriate for the holidays. Everything was picture-perfect looking.

Later, we toured the Magazine and saw a show presented by slaves hoping to be freed by the Britons. Afterward, it was starting to rain, but we were able to do some more walking and shop-visiting. That night, we had tickets to a “Christmastide at Home” tour, which turned out to one of the most special events we were able to experience. We were lead through several Christmas scenes from four different time periods. Each scene presented us characters celebrating Christ’s birth with hearts of hope and joy and thanksgiving, even when faced with slavery and war. The experience was very touching, and it really sticks out as a special part of the trip for David and I.

DAY 3: We slept in even later than the day before! After running and napping, we headed to brunch. And I’m sort of embarrassed to say that we didn’t make it to the museum until after 2:00 p.m. (We love our down-time on vacation!) David and I were able to participate in a “Holiday Punch Bowl” at the Raleigh Tavern where some locals, as well as Gen. Lafayette, shared with us their stories about the Revolution. David and I then headed over the College of William and Mary to walk around and try getting some photos when the sun popped out. The campus was beautiful, and singers from the College delighted visitors at Merchants Square with carols. Also during the day, we walked through the Williamsburg Inn and took pictures in front of the tree and yule log.

For our final evening, David and I planned to go to the Bruton Parish Church for a Christmas concert. Fortunately, we walked through the church’s back yard nearly 45 minutes before the program was to start, and we saw that it was filling up. We decided to go on in, and we were so blessed! We were able to grab a couple of the last available seats on the main level. Balconies were even filling up. At 5:30, the concert began, and we were entertained by the church’s choir and orchestra performing Bach’s Wachet Auf and Rutter’s Gloria. The event was beautiful with more carols to be sung, and an oboe concerto concluding the evening.

Our trip was extremely special. It was a perfect way to end a busy time and semester for us, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy this Colonial Christmas!

See all of our Williamsburg pictures here.

- Sarah