A Victorian Christmas
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest
Join us for “A Victorian Christmas!” The Joplin Historical Neighborhoods Museum (Schifferdecker and Zelleken Homes) is inviting eight area businesses and organizations to each decorate a tree on display during our three-evening holiday event and throughout the holiday season. The museum provides the tree, stand, and display space — you provide the creativity and decorations. Guests, staff, and a distinguished guest judge will select winners in three prize categories.
The trees will be located at different locations in both the Schifferdecker and Zelleken homes as well as the Carriage House and Welcome Center.
Important dates:
November 1: Entry submission deadline
November 23–24: Tree decorating window
The museum is hosting a very special holiday event from 6-8pm on the evenings of:
- November 27 (official kick-off and lighting ceremony)
- December 4
- December 11
Tree Themes
To ensure a cohesive Victorian look throughout the museum, as well as for inspiration, we request participants select one of the themes below. Let us know your top 3 preferences on your sign-up form — themes are assigned first-come, first-served so all eight trees stay distinct.
Victorian themes to choose from:
Old World German Glass & Tannenbaum — glass ball ornaments, straw stars, and silver tinsel in a shimmering silver-and-gold palette
Nutcrackers & Erzgebirge Woodcraft — hand-carved wooden nutcrackers, smokers, and toy figures in natural wood tones with red and gold accents
Alpine Woodland / Black Forest Nature — pinecones, birch bark, holly, moss, and carved woodland creatures
“Stille Nacht” — Music & Angels — paper sheet-music ornaments, bells, and instrument-playing angels in gold and cream
Christkind & St. Nicholas Folklore — St. Nicholas figures, gilded walnuts, marzipan and gingerbread shapes in red, white, and gold
Dickens’ London Parlor — holly and ivy, small Victorian toys and dolls, paper cornucopias, candy canes, and miniature plum puddings
Prince Albert’s Royal Tree (1848) — a recreation of the tree that popularized the custom in England: wax dolls and toys, paper candy baskets, ribbon, and a large star or angel topper
Fruits, Nuts & Confections of the Season — orange pomanders, sugared fruit, gilded nuts, and candy canes in warm orange, brown, and gold tones
Victorian Christmas Card & Correspondence — the first commercial Christmas card was commissioned in London in 1843; this tree features vintage-style postcard and letter ornaments, wax seals, and ribbon-tied envelope tags in ivory, crimson, and gold
Straw & Wheat Folk Art — woven straw stars, corn dollies, and wheat-sheaf ornaments (a German and Scandinavian folk tradition), in natural straw, jute, and cream-and-gold tones
Victorian Ballroom Elegance — lace, pearls, and brocade ribbon with small dance-card ornaments and folding fans, in an ivory, blush, and silver palette
Fill out the following entry form to enter. We will contact you with your assigned a theme based on your preferences (first come, first served, so enter soon!). We will print a program containing details of participating organizations, so you may send us a logo if you like, and a brief description of your organization and/or inspiration for the tree decorations.