“Deck the Halls” has become a classic carol that most passersby hum cheerfully to themselves as they stroll on a crisp, chilly December afternoon, bringing a rosy flush to their cheeks while Christmas shopping. However, the song also breathes life into the halls of many homes during the joyous holiday season, bringing the art of creating a feeling into the real world. Many feelings go through a visitor upon walking into the stunningly festive decor of the Missouri governor’s mansion at Christmas time: awe, amazement, pure joy, and a warm feeling of pride and belonging. Grand halls decked with historical holiday ribbons rich in color dazzle the garland and trees head to toe with warm, sparkling lights and ornaments – a tradition unlike any other.
For more than 50 years, dating back to the Bond administration, the tradition of adorning the Missouri Governor’s Mansion and opening the halls to the public has been an event that many community members look forward to every year. From the celebratory lighting ceremony of the grand tree that stands outside the mansion every season to the gathering of families coming together, it’s an event that 
every Missouri resident must experience. The decorations honor another tradition: the candlelit tours that civilians can take throughout the mansion to appreciate the first viewing of the home inspired by the First Lady’s chosen theme of the year. Thoughtfully chosen with an intentional purpose each year, the themes of each year’s decorations can be from significant and grand to small but mighty for their impactful meaning. Missouri’s First Lady Teresa Parson remembers the many themes that quickly became her favorite over the years. “One year, we honored all of the past governors of the state of Missouri. We displayed all 57 portrait photos of all 57 governors on the mantle in the Great Hall. The following year, we honored the first Ladies of the House in a similar theme, but we had specially made ornaments hanging in the Christmas trees to honor them.”
First Lady Teresa holds dear to her heart last year’s specific theme and the events that came with it. “My favorite Christmas was last year. I have always wanted this theme since I’ve been in the house, which has been almost seven Christmases, and that was to have a patriotic Christmas. So last year, we had our Patriotic Christmas, with red, white, and blue decorations followed by a New Year’s military ball event.”
The 2024 theme will remain a secret until the grand unveiling during the tree lighting and candlelit tours; however, Shari Childs, Missouri Governor’s Mansion Director, revealed some insight into what the public has to look forward to this Christmas. “So this year, we are doing a Christmas hug and a farewell to the Parson family. It will be the most traditional Christmas-y Christmas that you have ever seen! I think the words I keep using are “drippy.” The farewell Holiday season will be filled with tears of shimmer and shine as the love for the Parson family is wrapped up in a perfect bow. While the public holds their breath for a dazzling 2024 grand Christmas reveal, reminiscing on the 2023 Patriotic theme will hold everyone over until it’s time to celebrate again.
The Great Hall
Upon first steps into the Governor’s Mansion, the Great Hall greets every visitor. The first impression was extensive, and this one did not disappoint. The buttery floors glistened as the crystal chandeliers glowed upon the warm room, the white and gold crown molding contrasting from the dark wooden hues of trim framing the doorways and the fireplace mantle. A golden harp perched in the corner of the hall, and cherry red poinsettias with greenery and blue ribbon anointed the mantle. Atop the florals were crystal sculptures molded into Christmas tree shapes glistening in the light.
Three enormous trees guarded the grand stairwell, each decorated in accordance with the patriotic theme of red, white, and blue. Cream-colored flowers, royal blue ribbons, and ruby red ornaments dangled from each respective tree. The grand stairwell lined with the flags of Missouri showcases an abundance of poinsettias and a bundle of crimson flowers at the foot of the grand piano.
Upstairs Sitting Room
Leading up the standalone staircase were emerald leafy garlands swept up the handrail with dainty red flowers and golden glowing lights, a wreath adorned with velvet crim- son ribbon atop each grand swoop. Up the stairs, a quaint sitting parlor showcased a statue of Father Christmas at the corner of the room and a mini Christmas tree. The Christ- mas tree paid homage to Missouri’s abundant natural re- sources, including deer antlers, pine cones, sprigs of brush, and a golden stag.
Double Parlor
Red was the overall theme of the Double Parlor room, where subtle accents in the carpet, crown molding, and furnishings washed the room in the lightest of reds, giving it a warm, cheery interior that felt like Christmas on its own. One of the man- sion’s most priceless pieces, the antique Chickering piano (patent 1889) sat near the fireplace, with a lovely wreath atop the lid. The fireplace drew in more cherry hues, poinsettia flowers edged the mantle decorations, and red velvet leaves encircled mini trees placed above. Twin marble pillars with gold embellishments led to the other half of the Double Parlour room, where a mini Christmas tree with ribbons cascading down and shining ornaments reflected the natural elements that are found in Missouri.
Formal Dining Room
The robin egg blue dining room was distinguished by its cool-toned hue, warmed by the mahogany wood accents of the dining room table, and the embellished gold-framed mirror hung above the fireplace. The fireplace mantle and dining room table were filled with candles, sparkling crystal trees, and vases filled with red, white, and blue florals artfully draping like fireworks on the Fourth of July. A small Christmas tree was at the end of the dining room table, where ribbon rivulets cascaded down the side and dazzled ornaments resided.
Many beautiful memories are associated with the season of Christmas. A particularly poignant memory for L•O PROFILE from the 2023 Christmas and holiday season was celebrating the two brave POWs from World War II, Missouri natives Sergeant First Class William Rowden and Sergeant Ralph Kalberloh, at the January/February Launch Social hosted at the Governor’s Mansion on January 5, 2024. The event gathered the community to celebrate and remember the great sacrifices the two men made for our country, and the event was embellished with the beautiful patriotic American Hero Christmas decorations from the 2023 holiday season. L•O PROFILE expresses its deepest gratitude to the Parsons and Kehoes for graciously welcoming our two Cover Heroes on this occasion.
Honoring and remembering past seasons allows us to look forward to the future. As the beautiful decorations of 2023 are reminisced on, there are still the upcoming decorations of Christmas 2024 to look forward to. As the Parson admin- istration comes to a close, the memory and legacy will carry on through meaningful traditions as First Lady of Missouri, Teresa Parson, decks the halls of the Governor’s Mansion one last time.
