Schrieman Storybook Tree
Decorator Christmas trees covered with velvet bows and crystal balls may be tres chic, but a colorful tree festooned with Pac Man, Mickey Mouse, Marvin, and the Cookie Monster once fascinated kids of all ages.
Many years ago, Mary Schuhriemen of Rocklin, California, created such a holiday surprise for two small grandchildren. When they arrived at grandmother’s house, their eyes sparkled at the sight of the tiny tree decorated with six Disney ornaments from the Sears catalog. “Micky Mousie! Micky Mousie!” grandson Keith cried, as he gleefully jumped up and down.
From that foot-high tree in a basement playroom, over the years, the Schuhriemen tree grew to an oversized twelve feet, covered by over two hundred character ornaments. It captivated children and adults alike, who clustered around it, trying to identify Jack Frost, the Little Drummer Boy, Jack in the Beanstalk, or the Frog Prince.
However, the real fun was in the collecting. Mary used family vacation trips to search out all-year Christmas shops in different cities. Friends also got into the act. One sent Humpty Dumpty from Victoria, Canada. A house guest from Mobile, Alabama, brought with her Santa’s nine reindeer (yes, Rudolph does make nine).
In time, Mary’s August birthday began to look a lot like Christmas. Her husband, previously very indifferent about her hobby, surprised her one birthday with a beautifully hand-crafted Scrooge, complete with long flowing beard, white nightcap, and ruby velvet dressing gown. Also nestled in the box was Bob Crachett in top hat, wool overcoat, with Tiny Tim perched on his shoulder.
Completing a particular set—she looked for years to find a Goldilocks to join the Three Bears—often became a treasure hunt. Marjorie Yohner, of “Dorothea’s, in Folsom, California (the first all-year Christmas shop on the West Coast), says, “Only a few companies make these storybook ornaments, bringing out maybe one new series each holiday season, and only available a year or two. Consequently, they become rare and more valuable with time, and prized collector’s items.”
However, Mary had her Santa’s helpers. Thus, she would beg people leaving on vacation trips, “Please look for Popeye while you’re in Boston. Olive Oyle and Wimpy have spent three years alone on the tree.” Friends searched a long time in Ohio, Nebraska, Canada, Florida, and Southern California before someone triumphantly pounced on a Popeye in Folsom, practically in Mary’s backyard. A few years later, a friend happened to see Sweetpea in a gift shop in Bar Harbor, Maine, and immediately snapped her up. In the case of Pinocchio, it took many years to add Geppetto and Jiminy Cricket. The Pirates of the Caribbean were appropriately discovered in New Orleans.
Mary’s treasure hunt lasted for thirty years or more, until her death, but her hobby has left very precious memories and heirlooms for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Grandson Keith grew up long ago, and now “Mickey Mouse” occupies the place of honor on his own family’s Christmas tree.