The holidays are a festive time at the Nelson-Atkins but instead of doing the traditional entry about the massive 22-foot tree in Kirkwood Hall surrounded by the 15th-century creche figures, I've decided to showcase the creativity of our staff. This year, the elves have been extra busy.
As I strolled through the offices, I noticed the typical decorations: cards and garland taped to cubicles, snowflakes on windows and miniature Christmas trees on desktops.
I turned a corner and found myelf in a winter wonderland! These folks have outdone us all. The decorations ranged from a traditional full-sized Christmas tree and menagerie of Santa Clauses in the Donor and Information Services department to the very individualized Christmas tree display in Human Resources.
Each member of the HR staff has decorated a tree with a different theme. One is called "Arty Holidays" which is hung with images of paintings and objects from the Museum's collection. Another is called "Sweet Treats" and is full of cookie decorations and candy canes. The "Bow Wow Christmas" had dog treats and toys all over it. One that is called "Santa and His Alter Ego" had reindeer on the tree. I'm not sure if I get that one.
But my favorite would have to be "A Beachy Christmas" complete with a Barbie doll decorating the tree in her bikini and an actual image taken from the employee's aunt's house in Granada. What could be better?
