By Kaitlin Candelaria
The Thackerson family of Vestavia Hills has put a whole new twist on the holiday season. While some families celebrate with 12 days of Christmas, Michelle, Steve and their three children instead celebrate with 12 trees.
“Every year, we add different things,” Michelle said. “We incorporate all kinds of different things like puzzles, books, videos and stuffed animals.” She said that, throughout the years, she has incorporated many of her children’s toys into the trees, giving each one a unique and fun look.
Michelle said she always loved decorating for Christmas but especially got into it once her children were born. Her daughter graduated from Vestavia Hills High School and is now a student at the University of Alabama. One of her sons is a junior at the high school and the other is a student at Pizitz Middle School.
Thackerson said it’s a family tradition to pull all the decorations out and decorate each year. This year, they got an early head start and decorated the day after Halloween. Steve said it’s easier to get all of the decorations up now that they start earlier.
Each tree has a different theme, including Disney, Peanuts, Winnie the Pooh, the Island of Misfit Toys and the Grinch.
“For Christmas, everybody started giving me stuff for my trees,” she said. “We decorate some for other holidays, but none to this extreme.”
Each of her children has trees in their room, which reflect different elements of their personalities. Her youngest son’s tree incorporates ornaments from the Christmas Vacation movies, Scooby Doo and sports, while her older son’s tree is an homage to the University of Alabama football team and the Atlanta Braves. Several of her trees also rotate and feature lights that change colors.
Her husband also participates in the fun. An avid Alabama fan, he has his own tree in his downstairs den decorated with stuffed elephants, houndstooth bows and even the “A” gloves, made famous by Mark Ingram during the 2009 football season. In addition to the “Alabama” tree in his football den, he has a sports tree featuring players from all different teams and sports.
The Thackersons have lived in Vestavia for more than 20 years.