Christmas crazy

North Whidbey family decorates to the hilt

“Gerry Haveman and her husband Norm love to deck their halls, walls and home with Christmas decorations each year.And for the first Christmas of the century, they’ve gone all out.Their two-story home holds five full-sized Christmas trees, five miniature trees and countless wreaths, dolls, figurines and other decorations that they began putting up in early November.There’s probably thousands of dollars worth of ornaments here, Gerry said. And some of them you can’t put a price on.The first tree greets visitors a few steps from the front door. It’s covered in more than 1,500 lights and over 1,000 antiques and ornaments special to the family.Next to it stands a smaller tree decorated with numerous delicate goose egg ornaments homemade by Gerry’s mother. Some of them are so intricate they include windows which let viewers look into the eggs and see a miniature deer or hummingbird inside.Another tree rests in the Haveman’s bedroom. This one is decorated with hundreds of Santas and mice. Like the remaining three big trees, it is covered in more than 1,000 lights.The Disney/cartoon character tree downstairs holds Mickey Mouse, Minnie and friends like Piggy and Eor.The kids like this the best because they recognize the characters, Gerry said.Next comes the Barbie tree. It’s covered in pink lights and different dolls.My husband made a treetop with one of those McDonald’s toys because he didn’t want to drill a hole through one of my dolls, Gerry said.The last tree downstairs is the one where the Haveman’s grandchildren gather on Christmas Eve to exchange presents. It is decorated with toys, animals and plenty of candy canes.Other notable decorations include a rocking-horse wreath, a miniature tree covered in portraits of the grandkids and plenty of Elvis Presley ornaments. Everyone knows he’s my favorite-favorite! Gerry said.The decorating bug bit Gerry as a young child when she was the one who mainly decorated the family tree.It used to be just the balls, but when they made figurines I really got into it, she said.She’s been collecting ornaments almost all of her adult life, and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.I keep trying to find a place for another tree, but there’s no more room, she said. “