Christmastime in Virginia


Our grandson graduated from VCU a couple of weeks ago, so we spent a few days in Richmond. We toured a couple of Colonial Plantations and a marvelous Gilded Age Mansion. However, the tour de force were the Christmas decorations at the Jefferson Hotel, where we stayed. WOW! They go all out!


The Jefferson is a hotel that is just loaded with history. Built in 1895, it has been host to numerous presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and VIPs. The grand staircase was the setting for that iconic scene in Gone With the Wind when Vivien Leigh made her entrance to the ballroom, and later when Clark Gable carried her up the stairs.




This year, the whole entrance, lobby and ballroom, as well as the balcony and mezzanine. Out front the big bronze alligator sports a flower decoration and holds a very large glass ornament in its jaws. In the lobby, there is a lovely nativity (nice to see a nativity at Christmas, after all that is what it is about) and a large gingerbread and candy bi-plane carrying Santa and his bag of toys.





The ballroom is spectacular, with a two-and-a-half story tall, fully decorated Christmas tree as the focal point. Check this place out if you can. If not this year, some Christmas in the future.




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