A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

Photography by Michael Patch 

Step inside this family home brimming with holiday delights around every corner 

When it comes to Christmas décor, I like to think I am somewhat of an aficionado with almost a dozen full-sized trees in my house, plus my entire two-car garage overflowing with all of my jolly decorations. Now, imagine a home where all of my said treasures would fit into one singular room — one room. It’s the magnificent home of Mrs. Rachel Beeler, whom I hereby crown the “Queen of Christmas.” 

Rachel has spent the last 50 years of her life going all out in her Christmas decorating. It started at her previous home, where the neighborhood would host an annual outdoor Christmas decorating contest. On a whim, Rachel and her now late husband Wayne decided to enter. After winning year after year, she knew she was on to something that would stretch her natural given decorating skills … and the loving patience of her husband! Rachel says Wayne loved to show off her hard work to friends, but he didn’t have a particular affinity for the actual decorating process. 

Being one of eight children, Rachel hails from a large family. “My parents always made Christmas special,” she says. “They instilled ‘the reason behind the season’ in our faith and found ways to make it magical each year.” Rachel and Wayne — married for 57 years — had two children of their own, Donna and Mike; though grown now, they still look forward to coming to see how the decorations evolve year to year. 

In their previous home, the Beelers started with two Christmas trees each year — breaking the norm at the time of only having a single tree. The Beelers moved into their current, much larger, house in July of 1997. The brick home was originally built in 1975, and numerous additions and remodels have taken place since the Beelers moved in, all overseen and/or designed by Rachel. “Although not formally trained, I’ve always had an eye for design and instinctively knew just what a room needed,” Rachel says. 

Beginning each September, Rachel and her helper elves, whom she gives great credit to, begin the process of unloading the two-car garage that is used mainly for the storage of all her outdoor Christmas decorations. One of her favorite parts of the early stages of the process is unearthing the new items she discovered throughout the year. Rachel says, “I learned early on to travel in a van when going on shopping trips. This allowed me to bring home pieces appropriate to the scale of the rooms and to never leave a special decoration behind due to sheer lack of space.” 

Rachel’s children, grandchildren, family and friends are constantly shopping for her. Her grandson Ryan enjoys gifting his Memaw additional pieces for a nativity set that she keeps up year-round in her bedroom. A granddaughter, Allison, returned to the area after her college graduation to learn the magic of Christmas decorating from her Memaw and hopes to continue the legacy. Rachel’s sister Judy is a huge help with setting up as is her brother-in-law Tommy, who was married to her late sister Emma, who was also one of Rachel’s elves. 

Rachel knows all the estate sale firms around the area, and they reach out to her with special finds. One of Rachel’s fondest memories of shopping came from a work trip with Wayne to North Carolina when she first discovered that Hobby Lobby was much more than a bookstore. “I went in, and they had all these beautiful Christmas items,” she says, “I thought I had died and gone to heaven.” Laughing, she adds, “My husband would joke and say it was the worst mistake he ever made” when she discovered the wonders of what they offered; “I had a ball and bought all kinds of goodies.” With an almost encyclopedic memory, as we walked around her house, she knew exactly where each piece came from or if anyone gave it to her as a gift. 

Rachel says every year is different and, “Whichever way the spirit moves me, determines where things go. I mix things up and change the rooms every year.” This keeps the décor fresh and new, not only for herself, but also the guests who come to view the house every year — which totals in the hundreds!

Upon walking in the front door, the magic of Christmas immediately greets you. White, cream and gold décor touch every surface of the foyer, while a newly purchased, slim 16-foot tree sits in the curve of the stairway, reaching all the way to the second floor. A garland drenched in poinsettias, berries and balls wraps around the banister. 

Off the foyer, the elegant dining room shines with a nod to traditional décor. A nativity spans the length of the dining room table that Rachel especially loves because her sister Mary advised her to purchase the set. “I’m so glad I listened,” Rachel says, “because she passed away not long afterwards; now it reminds me of her every time I see it.” 

Along the back of the house, the Beelers reimagined the family room by adding a fireplace, which gave the room a focal point for decorating. Large red reindeer, edged in white, sit atop the mantel. These were a new addition last year that Rachel has a fondness for. “We live in this room,” Rachel says. “It’s the heart of the home, and one we enjoy so much.” She adds with a laugh, “We also heat the house with the amount of Christmas lights we use in every room — this one in particular.” 

Every bedroom of the house receives the same attention from Rachel as the common rooms. A turquoise guest bedroom is a stellar example of this. Gold, turquoise and silver mercury balls mix seamlessly with feathers, birds and deer in the abundant garlands and trees. The color scheme then continues into the bathroom. 

The primary bedroom also does not disappoint. Rachel bought an upside-down tree last year and loves how it makes everyone look twice. A red and white theme spreads around the room, transitioning to simply white in the primary bathroom. Every snow animal you could think of resides in this bathroom, along with large polar bears, snowmen and snowflakes. It’s truly a sight to behold. 

Rachel has a knack for crafting surprising vignettes like in the workout room just past the kitchen where a life-sized Santa likes to get his steps in on the treadmill. This room displays her Jim Shore collection given to her by her son Mike. 

Down the hallway, the Beelers created a party room in the original attached garage. Four skirted tables provide seating for 32 people and allow Rachel to host the family Christmas meal. A painting of the nativity, given by Rachel’s daughter Donna, hangs in between two large bay windows, and she holds it close to her heart. 

When one goes so big inside their house, it’s only natural that the outside must also rise to the occasion. Rachel says she takes great pleasure in the New London Academy students telling her they wait all year to see the outdoor decorations going up. She has the entire house lined in white lights and every window adorned with a wreath and swag. A friend gave Rachel the life-sized nativity that now sits on a platform especially situated to go on top of the water fountain located at the front of the house. She adores this as a symbol of the season. 

In the backyard, a gazebo commands one’s attention because Santa and Mrs. Claus take up residence for the season. Rachel says she found these outside of Lynchburg on a shopping trip, but when she asked her husband if it was okay to purchase them, he told her, “No,” which she admits mildly shocked her. Little did she know, but Wayne had a surprise in store for her. He secretly purchased them, and much to her delight, presented them to her in time to use for the upcoming seasonal display. Numerous large-scale reindeer, polar bears and snowmen dot the rest of the landscape, providing plenty to view. 

Author W.C. Jones once said, “The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” Truer words could not be said when it comes to Rachel Beeler; every specially placed ornament is done to bring smiles to others. And for her hard work, she expects nothing in return, which is ultimately the true lesson we should all take to heart this Christmas season. ✦