Decorating The Atlanta Opera Christmas Tree is a yearly tradition which began way back in 1999. One of the staff members went out and bought a Christmas tree, but neglected to get any ornaments. The Opera staff has always been resourceful, though; they used some ribbon and leftover Atlanta Opera stickers from a mailing and created some ornaments!

This is the only one of them that still exists.

It now adorns our tree with the rest of the Opera family’s bizarre, mismatched ornaments:

We call this sleepy angel “Precision Brew,” after our coffee maker.

No opera would be complete without the orchestra! Legend has it that at one time we had an entire set of musical instrument ornaments. Unfortunately, all we have now are three violins and two French Horns (and a partridge in a pear tree).

The ballerina bear is Lindsay in Ticketing’s favorite ornament of all time.

We call this one “Wendy Loo Who,” because it looks like a cross between the Wendy’s mascot and Cindy Loo Who from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You may not be able to tell from the picture, but she’s dragging a Christmas tree behind her.

Snoopy!

And finally, Alfred and Hitchcock, the turtledoves.

We also have an assortment of more normal ornaments. Today we dragged them out of storage, turned on some Christmas music (Rockapella, Manheim Steamroller, and the London Philharmonic were the most popular), noshed on Christmas cookies, and spread some festive cheer!

Here is the final product… Happy Holidays!!!