Kelly Okrepkie’s holiday tradition is anything but ordinary. This Monroe, Connecticut resident fills her home with a spectacular display of 13 uniquely themed Christmas trees each year, making her love for the holiday season evident in every corner of her residence.
Kelly Okrepkie, 47, started her Christmas tree decorating journey in 2011 with the ambitious goal of placing a tree in each room of her house. Today, she has achieved this vision by decorating 13 trees annually. Her inspiration hints at a childhood dream stirred by department store displays. Okrepkie recalls, ‘When I was little, my mom worked at a department store and I would always walk by their Christmas trees and think, “I want this when I grow up.”‘
Each of Kelly’s trees tells a story. One is adorned with gold and silver ornaments, reminiscent of ‘Silver and Gold’ from the beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer film, evoking cherished childhood memories. Kelly honors her father’s memory with a tree featuring cardinals and ribbon with music notes, reflecting his love for music and his farm upbringing with touches of burlap and natural wood. Another tree, dedicated to her mother-in-law, showcases vibrant red roses topped with an angel, symbolizing her spirit.
Additionally, Kelly incorporates personal touches with a tree themed around her husband Joe’s favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz. This ‘Emerald City’ tree is complete with a handcrafted hot air balloon and iconic ruby slippers. Each tree holds a glass angel, a tradition inspired by gifts from her nephew years ago, symbolizing blessings for the new year.
The journey of crafting these trees is one Kelly eagerly plans a year in advance. She begins preparations by collecting ornaments and making handmade props starting in July. One of her recent projects included creating an ornament wall out of styrofoam, a task that demanded 12 to 14 hours of meticulous glue work. Once the planning stage is complete, Kelly dedicates three to five hours per tree, a process fueled by her passion for festive decor.
Maintaining vibrant and innovative decorations involves some investment, with each tree costing between $600 and $1,500, depending on its size and detail. A visit to the festive haven of Christmas Palace in Florida added delightful items like giant candy canes and penguins to her collection. However, Kelly emphasizes that such an impressive display doesn’t necessarily require a lavish budget. Simple additions like abundant lights and picks can transform any tree. Recycled boxes wrapped as presents also serve a practical purpose: keeping her cats from climbing the trees.
Kelly’s dream extends beyond her home. She aspires to create personalized, meaningful trees for others, helping them celebrate their loved ones through custom decorations. Her ultimate vision is to establish a Santa’s wonderland, offering families a place to visit, snap photos, and make lasting holiday memories.
For Kelly Okrepkie, these trees are more than decor; they are a source of immense joy and celebration that stays with her from November until January. Her passion-filled pursuit highlights the powerful emotions and traditions that Christmas can inspire.
Through her creativity and heartfelt dedication, Kelly Okrepkie transforms her home into a festive wonderland each holiday season. Her commitment to celebrating Christmas with personalized, evocative trees serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the holidays.
Source: Yahoo
