Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Decorating a fir tree for Christmas has been a tradition since the 16th century in Europe. Through the years, decorations have evolved – from lighted candles and fruit, to tinsel and lights, to handmade ornaments and blinking lights.
Some families use the same decoration scheme, adding custom ornaments to the mix each year.
For Polly Monk, of Boyer, her main Christmas tree is different each year. She likes to come up with new themes that are unique to her style and the items she collects.
This year, Monk decorated her tree with more than 70 bone china teacups and a teapot as the tree topper.
“I’ve always liked teapots and cups,” she said. “I’ve collected them all my life. I probably had twenty-five, and the rest I bought for like a quarter apiece at different little shops.”
Several of the teacups have sentimental value, such as the one that was given to her when she married her late husband, Ron. The teacup came with a stand and matching saucer.
“Gayle Mullenax gave it to us,” she said.
Along with the teacup tree, Monk has a four panel room divider that she decorated. Each panel has a wreath and inside the wreath is a teapot.
Monk decorated her Christmas tree the week of Thanksgiving and has been proud to show it off to friends and family. The tree is a glow with bright white lights and silver tinsel which accent the delicate teacups with extra shimmer.
Monk has another Christmas tree in her house that is decorated with ornaments made by her children when they were young. She decorated the tree this year at their request. The boughs of the white tree are filled with colorful trinkets made by the children, displaying years and years of memories for them all to enjoy.
After Christmas, when she takes down the tree, Monk said she wants to use 16 of the teacups to make a wreath that she will hang in her house.
Although she hasn’t decided what she will do next year, Monk is very creative and has many collections from which to choose.
