A Severna Park family has 13 Christmas Trees

For the Osborn family, the holidays are all about the multi-tree tradition. Where it started and how long it's been going on may be open to debate, but Michael, Wendy and son Matt welcomed Patch into their home the week before Christmas to share the amazing display of over a dozen beautifully decorated trees.

A tall, slender tree tucked into the foyer greets visitors; greens and reds (and many other complimentary colors) dazzle in every room of the Osborn's Chartwell home, where they've lived since 1995. Wendy, the "artist in-residence," has been decorating trees professionally and privately as long as she can remember. And she loves her work.

The Patch tour leads through two floors of uniquely decorated Christmas trees placed atop tables or freestanding in corners – each one with a different theme or color scheme to compliment the year's travels or capture Wendy's whims and fancies of the moment.

"She's the one with the artistic talent," boasts husband Michael. "Since our two tours to Okinawa, she has been turning our home into a Christmas wonderland.  It was a way to keep us connected to home while we were away. And Wendy's father was very into Christmas; I think it's in her genes."

"We start the process just as Thanksgiving ends," smiles Wendy. Michael chimes in to explain the traditional family trip to Pine Valley Christmas Tree Farm in Sykesville, MD to cut their own tree, a part he really relishes.

"Then I am always coming up with new ideas for my trees though family and friends adore the 'Village Tree,' so that one stays the same but moves from room to room in the house to keep it fresh each year," says Wendy, who was busy cleaning up from  entertaining the couple's dinner group feast the night before.  The dining room features one of two live trees, adorned with white lights, multi- bird ornaments, grapevine, and pinecones. Accents of nature abound.

Obviously enjoying every moment of "decking the halls" for the holiday season, the Osborns told Patch of several other traditions that began when the "kids," Melissa, Thomas and Matt, now grown, were very young.

Each Christmas morning, for 30 years, the family has enjoyed the identical casserole for their breakfast. (The one that is layered with eggs, sausage, cheese that you prepare the night before and pop in the oven to cook while stocking gifts are being opened. Yum.)

Then, before a single present is opened, a cake is baked in honor of Jesus' birthday. Yes, as their mom said, the kids actually wait to open presents and help bake a cake to think about the true meaning of the day.

"The birthday cake is cooled, cut and then taken to friends and neighbors in Severna Park and shared," continues Michael.  "These same folks have coffee waiting, expecting their Christmas morning traditional visit from the Osborns. It's always been a lot of fun."

Once the cake is gone, it's back home to open presents under the tree.  Which tree? Patch isn't telling. It's a secret!  This year it may be the magnolia-laden one in the formal living room. Or the nautical-themed beauty in the family room.  Or will it be the live tree with all the hand-made ornaments from the days when the kids were little? Decisions, decisions.  

Whichever beautiful tree it turns out to be, you can be sure the tradition will be the same, breakfast casserole, Jesus' birthday cake , then presents under one of many  stunning trees for the Osborn family.

Traditions at their best.