Coffee & Cake: Marlene’s Christmas Tradition

By Ken Koontz

Wadesboro, NC – Marlene and Frank Richardson have turned on the lights in their Anson County home for the 2013 version of a family Christmas tradition that dates back more than 70 years ago.

Mrs. Richardson was just a little girl when her parents first began the tradition, which she carried on with her family when she and Frank married 52 years ago. And each year, she says it seemed to get bigger with more to display.

Every first Sunday in December, the Richardsons open their home for “Coffee and Cake” to introduce visiting friends, family and church members to see and enjoy her elaborate home Christmas Holiday decorations. No, not just a decorated Christmas tree in the living room, but decorations all over their 10-room, sprawling two-story home and outside where Frank added special touch this year not to be outdone by Marlene’s work inside. And, yes, the bathrooms and sun porch are adorned, too.

Each room is decorated with its own special theme. The sun porch is ginger bread. The living room has angels. There’s a nativity scene in the foyer above the door. And, there’s a Santa Claus at the top of the stairs greeting visitors as he stands beside a white-flocked tree. There are a couple of Christmas village scenes. In all, there are 16, 7-foot Christmas trees throughout the house.

Story continues after the photo gallery.

On opening day, it all begins with a short program: a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings of another year of celebration. Frank explains the reason for the season; a church deacon reads the Biblical story of Christmas; group singing of Christmas carols concludes the program. With that, the official “Coffee and Cake Tour” begins, though some visitors lounged in the decorated den to watch football on a big, flat-screen television. Marlene and Frank lovingly and joyfully amble throughout the house as perfect hosts do.

“My mother started this when I was a little girl at home,” says Mrs. Richardson. “She would have each of us go out and find a branch, bring it home and then decorate them for individual rooms throughout our house. Of course, I went overboard with the decorations and mother told me that I would have to have my own special tree,” she says smiling. “And that was the start of it, as it got bigger and bigger each year. So, when Frank and I married, I told him that I would continue that tradition in our home for us and our children. But what we have created across the years has just grown so much and friends have come to look forward to it each year,” she relates.

“Not to be outdone by all she does inside, I had to step up my game and do better with the outside. So, the windows, trees and shrubbery, light posts and the driveway entrance got the special treatment this year,” says Frank.

Marlene begins her project set-up each year in early October in order to have it ready to present on first Sunday in December.

“This year is very special to me,” she says. “It was a year ago that I was diagnosed with cancer. But, I refused to live by that diagnosis and committed myself to overcome what some may have considered was a death sentence. Not so. Was determined to beat it and I am still here today for this year’s Coffee and Cake,” she proudly proclaims. “It seems that negative things in my life have tended to occur this time of year.”

“But the work and effort that I put into this tradition always helps to get me through. And I am so thankful for all of this,” she says.

Then she and Frank share a soft kiss, a smile…and the lights flicker.

Merry Christmas!