OPEN HOUSE—2008—THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

     A tradition since 1983, Bob and Sharon Brenner’s Christmas Open House once again is  taking place FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH AND NOVEMBER 29TH ON THANKSGIVING WEEK END TO COINCIDE WITH OUR CITY CELEBRATION OF “CHRISTMAS IN PRINCEONT” BEING HELD THIS WEEKEND.

     LOTS TO DO—FROM CRAFTS FAIRS, ANTIQUE SHOPS GALORE, SHOPPING IN QUAINT SHOPS WITH EVERY THING IMAGINABLE, CHRISTMAS CARRIAGE RIDES, AND EVEN A LIGHT PARADE ON FRIDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 28TH.

     Over these past twenty years, thousands of people have walked through what newspaper reporters and TV commentators have said is “one of most elaborate holiday homes imaginable.”

     Continuing our tradition, all proceeds will go to a charity.   All proceeds will be going to the Green Lake County Food Pantry who are in great need of monetary donations to feed the needy of our own Green Lake County.  Special exhibits and special decorations not on display for many years will once again come out this year.

Watch this page for update pictures as we decorate to get a preview of what you will be seing.

This year’s Open House will be very different from any other we have held as you can see below:

     HALLOWEEN—Kitchen—you name it in papier-mache, art, ornaments, even a spooky department 56 Halloween village—Halloween celluloid, plastic—completely themed in orange, green, and black.

     CHRISTMAS—living room, dining room, and den—as traditional—Dresdens, paper, glass ornaments, feather trees, centerpieces, and of course, lots of Santa Claus all over.

     EASTER—front bedroom—two Easter trees, lots of bunnies an candy containers—a chance to see lots and lots of Easter—from baskets to chicks to bunnies to lots of glass ornaments—all with Easter theme.

     VALENTINE’S DAY—side bedroom—Valentine trees with glass ornaments, lots and lots of fold-out vintage Victorian valentines—ships, planes, trains, and so much more—All Valentine themed.

     CHRISTMAS MUSIC BOXES—back bedroom—This room will delight your ears—and eyes—lots and lots of music boxes from churches to angels, to snow globes to unimaginable Christmas themes.

     CHRISTMAS ROOM—YES, STILL TRADITIONAL—but changed as the large tree is now re-decorated after 15 years of being the same—and underneath—Santa Claus galore—count them, if you wish!

     BELOW IS TRADITIONAL EXPLANATION WITH PICTURES AS WE HAVE, BUT WATCH FOR UPDATES—HALLOWEEN TO BE HERE VERY, VERY SOON.

     Every year we open our doors to share the spirit we have reincarnated with more ornaments and decorations than could be imagined in any home. One reporter stated last year, “Possibly rivaling the dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Brenner's put the thousands and thousands of ornaments, lights, figurines, pictures, post cards and more that has been collected over the years out for all to see.” And “What a magnificent display—it is like a walk through the past decades of Christmas.”

     Day or night, visitors recognize our house in Princeton, Wisconsin by the Uncle Sam standing outside with an American flag in his hand.  Red, white, and blue lights go around the house to spread this Patriotic spirit

     Our living room has the traditional 12-foot Christmas tree with over 1,500 glass ornaments—all dating before World War II and all made in Germany. Candles will abound on this tree this year.  Four feather trees grace the other side of the living room—decorated with waxed angels, Dresden ornaments, glass and cotton fruit, Victorian wire-wrapped ornaments, lebkuchen and cookie ornaments.  All four trees are finished off with antique glass icicles—all of which are hand-blown and uniquely different.  The fireplace mantle is decked with antique representations of Santa Claus and Father Christmas.  Below the fireplace, you will find pre-World War I gift boxes filled with Christmas jewelry and other finery.

Our dining room continues the Victorian theme.  The nine-foot Frazier (lighted with white and red cone-shaped bulbs) is decorated with early glass ornaments, glass Santa Claus figural ornaments, lithographed scrap ornaments trimmed with tinsel and cellophane, Victorian candy cornucopias, and 1890s glass beaded chains.
               The dining room table is set with Royal Ruby glass ware, early etched stemware, Carnation pattern silver plate flatware, silver dishes, miniature bisque snow baby figures, and other Victorian finery.  With the predominate colors of red and silver, the table matches the Victorian roping, candelabra with lights, paper scrap ornaments, and miniature red and clear lights above the windows.  There will be some Victorian surprises in the dining room.

Open House 2008--Kitchen corner--Entire Kitchen is Halloween this year!

Halloween Village in Kitchen--across entire back wall---Halloween comes to life in Miniatures and Lots of Spooky Sounds!

Open House Living Room front already decorated with feather trees, bubble light trees, and Vintage Santa Clauses

Living Room--Close-up of feather trees decorated with Dresden, Cookies, and other pre-1900s Ornaments.

     Watch this site as the new pictures will be posted to give you a preview of what can be seen at our Open House.    If any questions, please feel free to call us at 920-295-3009, fax us at 920-295-0269, or visit our website at http://www.christmasinprinceton.com

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