Christmas comes early at Laurel Ridge

Twinkling lights, glistening angels, jovial Santas, familiar tunes, lush garland wreaths, recollections of childhood excitement, a bit of a nip in the air, the smell of freshly cut spruce, the hustle and bustle of shoppers, more forgiving dispositions and hearty greetings of goodwill, stockings hung by the chimney with care and visions of sugar plums dancing in the heads of wide-eyed children are all distinctive signs that Christmas is near.

But with South Texas temperatures still climbing into the 90s on most September days, it takes a lot of imagination – or, at least, the ability to look three months into the future – for most of us to get into the Christmas spirit.

Not so for Barbara Crozier.

She looks forward each year to autumn when the holiday season begins in Gonzales and Laurel Ridge Antiques — and now Inn — is transformed into a Christmas wonderland.

“It’s our busiest time of the year,” Barbara says of her year’s biggest shopping season leading up to Christmas.

The yuletide frenzy actually begins for Barbara the last two weeks of August in preparation for the annual open house and kickoff of the Laurel Ridge Christmas, which this year starts Friday, Sept. 30, and continues through Sunday, Oct. 2.

But Barbara, a bit frazzled from long days and nights decorating the 1914 F.M. Fly historic home to overflowing with traditional holiday cheer, welcomes the tinsel, snowflakes and continuous Christmas carols from such familiar crooners as Liza Minnelli, Rosemary Clooney and Frank Sinatra.

Her guests – some experiencing Laurel Ridge for the first time; many old friends who make Gonzales an annual seasonal pilgrimage – also welcome the yearly transformation that not only affords them a shopping extravaganza, but harkens memories of bygone Christmases. Christmas at Laurel Ridge inspires wonder in children of all ages, and warms both heart and homes year after year after year.

“We have a huge statewide following,” Barbara says, recalling Lone Star friends well represented on her long list of customers.

Distinctive decorations

A visit to Laurel Ridge is not only a step into a yuletide wonderland, but also a step back in time. After all, Laurel Ridge is first and foremost an antiques store with a reputation for unique offerings and quality craftsmanship that has stood the test of time.

Filling the house to overflowing with Christmas treasures from around the world, Barbara takes understandable pride in the themes she’s created for each room.

There’s the angel room or Nativity room, a breathtaking collection of decorations heralding the birth of Christ, whose historical interpretation is inspired by one of Barbara’s New York City visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Texas room pays homage to the state’s deep roots, adorned in masculine tones and a Western motif.

The dining room, now affectionately referred to as “the bling room” has always been the home’s centerpiece. It is now brimming with not only crystal from around the world, but all things shiny, filled with “pretty little bobbles,” beads and lots of bling.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a Santa room. While there are Santas at virtually every turn throughout the house, Barbara devotes a room to the jolly ol’ elf. And, emblematic of the fastidiousness that is the hallmark of Laurel Ridge selections, they’re not just any ol’ Santas. Only the best find a spot in this shop par excellence. Only Lynn Haney Santas.

Known for his exquisitely detailed, original creations, Haney’s Santas are handmade in Lubbock using the world’s finest wools, silks, furs and mohair. Laurel Ridge has been associated with Haney “for either 24 of 25 years or 25 of 25 years he’s been doing Santas.” The handmade pieces offered at Laurel Ridge include not only new Haney favorites, but also those made exclusively for Laurel Ridge. Among those made specifically for Laurel Ridge are the White Christmas series, with each Santa named after lyrics from the famous Irving Berlin song: “White Christmas,” “Where the Treetops Glisten” and “Sleigh Bells in the Snow.”

Barbara’s exclusive Lynn Haney Santa this year, which is prominently displayed at Laurel Ridge, is “Sleigh Bells in the Snow.”

“Lynn Haney Santas are our first love, but not our only love,” Barbara points out, not wanting to neglect the exquisite creations by other renowned Christmas artisans. Hand-blown, hand-decorated figural glass tree ornaments by Christopher Radko, Old World and Ino Schaller also have a preeminent spot at Laurel Ridge. These delicate ornaments are primarily produced in Poland, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic. Ino Schaller glass ornaments have been made in the same little German village for 14 generations.

“Obviously, we love Christmas, and we love what we do,” she says.

Getting started

So how did Barbara Crozier come to be forever synonymous with Laurel Ridge Antiques?

She blames her mother, who was determined to rescue the mansion that is now the store and inn from demolition after it sat vacant for 15 years and had fallen into disrepair. The stately home, so filled with Gonzales history, was viewed as an albatross and was targeted as a new location for Sonic Drive-In. It was the late 1970s, and Barbara was living in London, England attending graduate school in theater.

Her mother bought the house, and Barbara moved back to Gonzales for what she thought would be a couple of years.

She and her mother and their friends spent those first two years tirelessly renovating the dilapidated mansion. By the early 1980s, the one-time albatross was on the home tour, and by 1999, all the antiques that were being sold from the carriage house out back had made their way into the house where more antiques joined them.

“Operating the shop within the home allows visitors to Gonzales to see one of the unique, historic homes every day, while still being able to purchase fabulous antiques and gifts,” Barbara says of her decision to make the mansion the showcase for the business.

After a dozen years, Barbara is now taking her enterprise to the next level, opening the second floor as an inn as well as a shop. The first guests are scheduled to spend the night in late October.

“The inn will allow our guests to enjoy both the house and the beautiful contents,” she explains, noting that all furnishings are for sale should guests decide they want to take a piece of Gonzales home with them. Future plans call for the carriage house behind the mansion to be turned into a garden cottage for additional guests.

“It’s obviously a labor of love,” Barbara admits. “There’s lots of easier ways to make a living.”

But, she’s quick to add, the easier ways wouldn’t be as rewarding ... or as much fun.