Fabulous Sale at Albert & George This Week!

Stop in Albert & George this week and save 50% off all Holiday Decor!


Albert & George is located at 70020 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California 92270. Hours are 10-5 M-F Saturday 10-4.

Origins of the Holiday Wreath

By hanging a Christmas Wreath on your door you are carrying on a tradition from the days of ancient Rome, when decorative wreaths were used a sign of victory (though these tended to be made of laurel). After each battle won the citizens of Rome would make a wreath and hang it on their door to thank their Gods.

But the origins of the Advent wreath go far back in time, to the pre-Christian Germanic tribes who during the cold and darkness of the long days of December gathered evergreens which they made into wreaths and lit fires as a sign of hope in the coming of the spring and renewed light.

Christians went on to keep these traditions alive and by the 16th century both Roman Catholics and Protestants in Germany used these symbols to celebrate Advent and their belief in Christ.

The use of the Advent wreath then spread to other parts of the Christian world. Traditionally the wreath has four candles nestling in a circle of evergreens and a fifth in the center. Three of these were violet and the fourth a rose pink but nowadays four white or violet are acceptable. Each week in December one candle would be lit, possibly with a short prayer and before the evening meal until the lighting of the center one on Christmas Eve to represent Jesus Christ being born again (We did this in my household growing up, and we even made the wreath ourselves from pine cuttings from the woods surrounding our home).

Perhaps as you hang your festive wreath on your door to welcome friends and family to your home this year, you will give a little thought to the people who for many hundreds of years have kept this tradition alive and all the wonderful things in history it represents.

By far and away the best wreath that I've seen this year is from Beach Bungalow 8's designer, Megan Arquette. It's constructed of vintage ornaments, and I can't wait to try and make one of these for myself next year!

Christmas Tree Roots

While there are no hard facts about the origins of the Christmas tree, there is little question the Germans originated and popularized it. The earliest written record of a decorated evergreen tree for Christmas appears in 1521 in the German region of Alsace. In 1561, the same region had a forest ordinance saying that no one "shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length." The German families would set up Christmas trees in a prominent location in their home and decorate them. As these people moved or immigrated to other countries, they brought this tradition with them. By the 1700s, the Christbaum, or "Christ tree," was a German tradition. It quickly spread to other parts of Europe and finally to America.

America adapted slowly to some of the Christmas traditions, because of the Puritan influence. Many puritans felt that Christmas was too sacred of a holiday and should not be marred with Christmas trees and Christmas carols. When the Christmas tree later regained popularity, symbolism was common. The Christmas tree is a symbol of a living Christmas spirit. Because balsam fir twigs, more than any other evergreen twigs, resemble crosses may have had much to do with the early popularity of balsam fir used as Christmas trees.

In 1851, the Christmas tree market began when farmer Mark Carr hauled two ox sleds of evergreens into New York City and sold them all. In 1856, Massachusetts was the last existing state to declare Christmas a legal holiday. Since then, it has exploded into a tradition-rich, festive season. By 1900, one in five American families had a Christmas tree. By 1920, the custom was nearly universal in the United States.

Today, the Christmas tree is common in all Christian countries except Spain, Italy, and some of Latin America. Instead, these countries share the custom of erecting a miniature reproduction of the stable and manger where Christ was born. Even the Japanese have adopted the Christmas tree, but with this twist: they decorate their tree with tangerines and delicate rice wafers-which enclose fortune-telling slips!

Towards the end of the 1800s, another variation of the traditional Christmas tree appeared: the artificial Christmas tree. It is believed that like so many other Christmas traditions, artificial Christmas trees also originated in Germany. The first artificial Christmas trees were metal wire trees covered with feathers. The most popular feathers came were goose, turkey, ostrich or swan feathers. The feathers were often dyed green to look like pine needles. In the 1930's, the Addis Brush Company created the first artificial-brush trees, using the same machinery that made their toilet brushes! The Addis 'Silver Pine' tree was patented in 1950. This innovative Christmas tree had a revolving light source under it. Colored gels allowed the light to shine in different shades as it revolved under the tree. This silver aluminum artificial Christmas trees became so popular that it was exported throughout the world!

The story of The National Christmas Tree begins with Franklin Pierce- the first President of the United States to introduce the Christmas Tree to the White House in 1856. However, this was not the start of the tradition now known as the "National Christmas Tree". In November 1923, First Lady Grace Coolidge gave permission for the District of Columbia Public Schools to erect a Christmas tree on the Ellipse south of the White House. The organizers named the tree the "National Christmas Tree." That Christmas Eve, at 5 p.m., President Calvin Coolidge walked from the White House to the Ellipse and "pushed the button" to light the cut 48-foot Balsam fir, as 3,000 enthusiastic spectators looked on. The tree, donated by Middlebury College, was from the President's native state of Vermont. From 1924 to 1953 live trees, in various locations around and on the White House grounds, were lit on Christmas Eve. In 1954 the ceremony returned to the Ellipse and expanded its focus. Local civic and business groups created the "Christmas Pageant of Peace." Smaller live trees representing the 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, formed a "Pathway of Peace." On December 17, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower lit the cut tree donated by the people of Michigan. The White House used cut trees until 1973.

Central to the season's celebration is the living National Christmas Tree, a Colorado blue spruce from York, Pennsylvania, planted on the Ellipse October 20, 1978. The tree stands as a daily reminder of the holiday spirit and of the tradition each succeeding President has shared in since 1923.

Grand Opening Party Tonight!

We hope to see you all at our Grand Opening Party tonight from 6-9PM. Our new store, Albert & George will be serving Hors d'œuvres and drinks from Bangkok Five. We have a great selection of holiday decor, books, and home accessories, as well as home furnishings and artwork. Tonight we will be offering 10% off all holiday decor!

Three Favorite Trees at Albert and George

We had so much fun choosing Christmas Trees for our new store, Albert & George!

I love the holidays, and putting up the tree- my sister and I used to drag our Christmas Tree out of the cubby hole at least twice a year and put it up in her room while we were unsupervised. There really is something amazing about those lights being in a tree that is still wonderful to look at.

I picked three trees from our store that I am absolutely crazy about...

The first is a red-flocked 3' tree- We had one up on our buffet for Thanksgiving at our house, and it really needed NO decorating. It looked absolutely fantastic with the thick, velvety red flocking ($140).

The second tree is a 3' silver glittered tree, sort of a minimalist/mid century modern/Jetson tree. It doesn't need any lights- it just sparkles constantly. Would be amazing as a centerpiece on a Christmas or New Year's Eve table...this one also comes in gold ($65).

The last one is a trio of trees that are somewhat untraditional- they are a wooden-framed tree silhouette in white glitter with red glass bulbs mounted in the central negative space. These are so much fun, and would be great on a mantle given their low profile ($75, set of three).

All of these are on sale now at Albert & George, located at 70020 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, next to Bangkok Five. Albert & George is William Miller Design's new store that features home interior accessories, books, gifts, cards, and candles.

Voluspa and Fringe Studio @ Albert & George

Two really great lines that we will be carrying at our store, Albert & George. Voluspa candles, manufactured by Troy Arntsen in Southern California, has one of the most beautifully packaged line of candles available. We're going to have a full line of Voluspa gift boxes for the holidays, including Maison Rouge.

We also will have soaps and trays by Fringe Studios ( I love their printed glass trays with owls). Their gift sets feature a vivid print on a handblown glass tray.

Hope to see you all at our Grand Opening December 10 6-9 PM! RSVP to 760-770-9199.

Our store's address is 70020 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, California 92270. We feature home accessories, home decor, gifts, books, cards, and candles, in addition to the Interior Design Services of William Miller Design.

Thanksgiving Menu

I've been so hard at work on the store that I have kind of put Thanksgiving off to the side. I still need to order a turkey, since I am going to have 18 people for dinner and 9 house guests for the weekend. I managed to write out my menu:






Appetizers:

Vegetarian Pate (Not a vegetarian, I just like how this tastes)
Local Dates wrapped in bacon and stuffed with goat cheese
Wasabi Deviled Eggs

Main Courses:

Ham (Bill insists on a ham)
30# Turkey (I am going to use a lemon-infused brine)

Sides:

Kale-Apple Salad
Chestnut Stuffing
Corn and Haricort Vert Casserole
Red Miso Glazed Carrots
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes

Desserts:

Maple Cake
Cherry Pie
Pumpkin Pie

Some of these selections are a little untraditional, but it is nice to mix it up every few years. I LOVE this stuffing recipe. I've been making it for about 15 years. It doesn't have the traditional thyme in it, instead it calls for Allspice and Cinnamon and boiled chestnuts. I make an extra pan because it goes so fast!

Most of my family is coming for the weekend, and our gatherings usually end up being centered on movies, some hikes, eating lots of leftovers, and playing games (our favorite is a homespun game called 'celebrity' which you only need pencils and paper for. It's a hoot!

Not sure about our centerpiece...but I'm thinking about it!

Grand Opening of William Miller Design Store in Rancho Mirage December 10

William Miller Design is pleased to announce the opening of its new store Thanksgiving Weekend at 70020 Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage. In addition to our extensive Home Interior Design Services, we will also be offering a sophisticated and eclectic collection of Home Accessories, Books, Candles, Gifts, and Holiday Décor.

Please join us for a celebration of our new venture December 10 from 6-9PM. Please RSVP to 760-836-9199 by December 8.

Cody Foster at William Miller Design

Cody Foster was born and raised in the rural northern sandhills region of Nebraska. He began his artistic pursuits at a very young age under the guidance of his grandmother, an avid quilter. Cody began experimenting making cloth figures as an adolescent and soon realized that other people enjoyed and valued his work. These early successes eventually led to a regional, and soon, national popularity. Cody's designs are now widely recognized and have been featured in the American Folk Art Museum. We are excited to have his line of Holiday Ornaments and accessories that are reminiscent of the 1950's and we love their nostalgic look!

Stay tuned for our upcoming grand opening of our store in Rancho Mirage in December!

It's Not Too Early To Be Thinking About the Holidays...

We are, and our warehouse is starting to fill up with all kinds of great holiday Decor. This year, we are helping create a festive atmosphere in your own home with Holiday Decor & Christmas Tree Packages from $450. Leave the decorating to designers this year!

Contact William Miller Design at 760-413-9005 to schedule your Holiday Decor appointment!