Bloomfield couple’s unique Christmas tree brings the world to their living room
Like most traditions, it wasn’t planned.
It began about 20 years ago when Eric and Lynn Perry brought home some souvenirs from a trip to Florida.
Today, the Bloomfield couple has a collection of roughly 100 ornaments representing about 50 countries from all over the globe, including Jordan, China, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Greece, Italy, India, Norway, Finland, Holland, Poland, Venice, Turkey, Ireland, Scotland, America, Australia, Athens, Rome, Honduras, Belize, Croatia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and many more.
They have so many ornaments, in fact, that about eight years ago they had to set up a secondary Christmas tree in their home— the travel tree.
“It became a tree of travel,” said Lynn with a laugh.
It has now become the tradition that whenever the couple, or their children, travel, they return with a new ornament for the travel tree.
The result is a colorful, spectacular reminder of culture and travel. You might see a kangaroo from Australia alongside a nativity scene from Rome, or an Indian bell alongside a bulb from Wales, or a glittering Venetian mask alongside a festive Zimbabwean hut.
Because of cultural differences, some countries the family visit do not celebrate Christmas, so a souvenir representing something of national or cultural significance is brought home to adorn the tree.
For all the travelling the couple has enjoyed over the years, they say the only place they want to be for Christmas is home.