Our South Christmas 2019

Museum Trail
COMMUNITY
While her birthday is December 23, Deborah
McKay Tucker says she has never resented having her
birthday fall so close to Christmas. “Some people may
feel they get cheated, because often birthday and Christmas
gifts are rolled up in one. But I never felt that way.
I have always loved Christmas!”
Deborah has loved Christmas so much for so long
that she has earned a reputation for having the most
decorated home in the Brandon area. “I’ll admit, I go a
bit overboard, but I can’t help it. It’s my creative outlet.
My kids have asked if we can maybe have a ‘normal’
house with a wreath on the door and a tree in the living
room, but that’s not possible for me. Besides, I do it for
everyone else.” During the holidays, Deborah hosts a
large Christmas open house as well as smaller Christmas
parties. She also accommodates drop-ins who were
unable to attend the open house for whatever reason, but
they still want to enjoy her beautiful decorations.
Decorating comes naturally for Deborah, who
has worked as a floral designer, and she’s owned and
worked in Christmas shops. She’s a collector by nature,
and because her friends know what she collects, they
give her even more.
The process of decorating her home begins the day
after Halloween. “I have literally truckloads of boxes
that are stacked up on my front porch,” Deborah says. It
takes about two weeks to complete the decorating. “It’s
like moving,” she explains. “I change out all the bed
linens, some of the window treatments, the artwork, the
dishes and more. Then I start decorating. I have lots of
DEBORAH HAS LOVED CHRISTMAS
SO MUCH FOR SO LONG THAT SHE
HAS EARNED A REPUTATION FOR
HAVING THE MOST DECORATED
HOME IN THE BRANDON AREA.
28 … OUR SOUTH
ALL THINGS SOUTHERN … 29