Johnson goes all out for Christmas

To step into Judy Johnson’s house in December is to step into a sort of Christmas nirvana. Every inch of the Martin City woman’s home is decorated, from holiday-themed shower curtains in the bathrooms, to coordinating floor mats and towels in the kitchen, to an incredible collection of miniatures and ornaments.

Tinsel and baubles adorn every doorway, and poinsettias and candles find a place on tables and windowsills. The curtains also match the festive interior, as does the table setting and even the dishes.

Johnson goes all out.

“My husband says it’s like living with a fifth-grader,” Johnson joked, touring her home on Friday.

“I started small when the kids were young, and when they left I really went to town,” she said.

Some rooms carry a certain theme. Her kitchen hosts cardinals, as well as an array of poinsettias. A wall in her dining room is dedicated to an impressive collection of gingerbread men.

Nativities and angels are spread throughout the display.

Johnson has been collecting her decorations for about 54 years, she estimated, though her collection is always refining and growing. She loves browsing second hand and thrift stores to find special decorations, and also has a soft spot for Hobby Lobby.

“My daughter-in-law, Carma, and I feed off of each other,” Johnson said.

Carma decorates just as Johnson does. The two began a tradition of giving each other “pre-Christmas” gifts closer to Thanksgiving.The gifts are more Christmas decorations — a mutual passion.

The tradition has spread to her grandkids, who now also receive Christmas decorations in November.

Putting that many decorations to use takes time, so Johnson starts her decorating in November.

“Even as a young married person, I loved to decorate,” Johnson said. “I’m such a kid at heart, this is just so fun for me.”