A Heart for Christmas

By Carolyn Drinkard

Right before the “ber” months arrive, Susan Perkins feels a slight tug on her heartstrings. It is time: Time to bring down her boxes; time to pull out her trees; time to decorate for Christmas. Now, some might think that August is just too early! For Susan, however, no time is too early for Christmas! At her house, Christmas is always in the air!

When September rolls around, Susan has already worked her magic and completely transformed her home. She never tells anyone what she has in mind, but when she finishes, she opens her doors to reveal a dazzling Christmas delight!

Susan’s decorating is all about filling hearts with joy. Each year, family, friends and neighbors wait anxiously to see what she has created.

“My six grandkids still love it!” she said. “When they were younger, they couldn’t wait to get here. They love Christmas as much as I do, and they look for specific things that they love!” (Last year, the grands counted 27 different trees among Susan’s decorations.)

Susan started collecting Christmas decor after her children were grown, shopping for things that touched her heart. “I didn’t have anything really in mind when I started,” she laughed, “but when I saw things, I knew that was what I wanted. “

Susan and Butch Perkins live in the small farming community of Perry’s Chapel, Alabama, near Jackson. An avid outdoorsman and hunter, Butch believes that “a happy wife leads to a happy life!”

“Her thing is Christmas decorations,” he chuckled, with a twinkle in his eye! “Whatever she likes, I like, too!”

Butch especially likes Susan’s 2020 theme, because Susan has turned their den into a winter’s wonderland! Snow-covered branches on the oversized, flocked tree hold treasured wildlife ornaments the couple lovingly collected while on their hunting trips. Owls, squirrels, bears, wolves, rabbits, armadillos, red foxes, quail and deer happily harbor memories of bear hunting in Canada, fishing in Alaska or mountain lion hunting in Idaho. On the huge fireplace and atop the sideboard, preening reindeer prance among glowing trees, sleepy owls doze among cherished antlers and vibrantly colored birds swing on metal tree limbs. Sparkling ribbons in hues of brown, chocolate and caramel weave throughout the rustic woodland decor.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Susan, so she leaves no space undecorated. Every nook and cranny seems to hold something interesting and special to Susan. This year, she has artfully placed her wide array of collections throughout her home. Santas, snowmen, deer and birds smile from shelves; colorful cookie jars sparkle atop kitchen cabinets; treasured wooden ornaments spin amid green branches; and sacred nativity scenes showcase the greatest gift of all.

Susan and Butch Perkins stand in their breakfast nook with some of the many collections Susan displays throughout their home.

Susan leaves no spaces undecorated. Even Butch’s prized deer mounts become part of the Christmas display. Susan has combined deer, red cardinals and trees to create this festive woodland scene.

These red, resin cardinals are very special to Susan because they belonged to her mother. She displayed them in her bedroom this year to remind her that “when a cardinal appears, you have a visitor from Heaven.”

Cardinals have a very special place in Susan’s heart because she believes that “angels are near when cardinals appear.” She keeps her mother’s red-resin birds atop a chest in the master bedroom as constant reminders of her mother’s presence.

“These birds are so special to me,” she stated. “We never had a lot of money to spend on decorations, but Mother found them at Al’s 5 & 10, and she loved them. I look at them and see her!”

Susan also brings her mother’s collection of Christmas cacti from the greenhouse to bloom among the many other treasures. These beauties never disappoint, as their flowers seem to get more vibrant each year.

Susan has discovered that opening her heart and home to holiday merriment and laughter makes everyone’s spirits bright, especially her own! She welcomes friends and neighbors to “friendsmas” gatherings for festive food and friendly fellowship.

One “friendsmas” tradition started years ago when a group of Jackson High School ladies, from the classes of ‘66 and ‘68, invited Susan to their annual “get together.”

“It was so much fun that I asked them to my house the next year,” she laughed. “Last year, we had 28 to come!” Now, she has even added the “JHS Ladies of ‘72,” creating still another “friendsmas” tradition.

Making others happy makes Susan happy, too! Her “Princess Party” is one of the most highly anticipated events in the Perry’s Chapel Community. (This annual event has become so popular that one invitee called in July to see if Susan had her decorations up yet.) An accomplished cook, Susan prepares a traditional holiday feast for 17 very special widows. She wraps each moment in togetherness and then sends the princesses off with gifts of home-baked goodies and treats.

“These ladies were mentors to me and so many others,” she explained. “That’s why I just want to do something special for them.”

Some say that those who decorate early are happier. Susan couldn’t agree more! You see, Susan knows that Christmas is so much more than decorations and gifts. Long ago, she discovered that wherever you find Christmas, you really find LOVE. That’s why Susan Perkins fills her heart and home with Christmas ... all year long.

Sandy Walker (l) helps her sister, Susan Perkins (r) cook for the “Princess Party” and her friendmas celebrations. Like others, Sandy is amazed at how Susan decorates her home so differently each year.

Susan Perkins used a woodland theme in her den this year. These ornaments were collected when she and Butch traveled to Alaska, Canada and Idaho on hunting trips. Each one carries a special story and memory for the couple.

This is just one of the gorgeous fireplace scapes Susan has created, featuring flocked greenery with red ornaments. The beautifully lit trees are just some of the 27 found throughout her beautiful home.