Christmas decorations honor daughter’s memory in Ocoee

Every time Marge Johnstone walks through the front door of her Ocoee home during the holidays, she immediately sees a lighted green medium-sized Christmas tree surrounded by light-up Shih Tzus. 

The tree serves as more than a Christmas decoration.

It’s a daily reminder of her daughter, Michelle Johnstone, who died in 2012. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

Just like Marge Johnstone, Michelle Johnstone loved everything about Christmas and went all out in decorations. 

So after she passed, Johnstone took all of Michelle Johnstone’s decorations — the tree, her ornaments and more — and put them in the doorway of the office on the left side of the front foyer. She added the dogs because her daughter was a fan of Shih Tzus. 

“I know the minute I put that tree up, she’s there,” Marge Johnstone said of her daughter. 

Every Christmas tree, every light, every ornament, every tiny house and every other piece of decor — no matter the size — has a place and a purpose to bring the holiday spirit to life each holiday season. 

Almost every inch of the home inside and out is carefully planned and catered to specific themes that pull visitors into the Christmas magic. 

“To me, (the decorations are) like artwork,” Marge Johnstone said. 

Meaning behind it all

Everything has meaning to Marge Johnstone. 

Whether it’s a nearly-50-year-old Bob Cratchit figurine her friend gifted her or the floral arrangements she made herself or the ornaments from around the world given to her by friends and family, every decorative item in her home holds a special place in Marge Johnstone’s heart. 

In her living room, there’s a flocked live Christmas tree. It’s the only live tree in the home, and it brings with it a flood of childhood memories. 

She recalled her family of nine getting into the back of the truck and going to hunt for a tree. Some would wear snowshoes to navigate the heavy snowfall in Canada. When they found the perfect tree, they would cut it down and bring it home to decorate. 

So now she goes to Kelly’s Christmas Trees each year to hunt for her perfect tree and have it flocked to look like snow. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

Each room has a theme to it, with every decorative item elevating the theme. 

She has a poinsettia bedroom and bathroom. A poinsettia garland wraps around the bedframe with red lights bringing out the warm scarlets and crimsons of the flowers. The quilted comforter and pillow covers feature the red flowers. A Christmas tree features red and white fluffed and twirled ribbons. Johnstone said everyone who visits the home during the holidays adores the room because of its beauty and coziness. 

In Michelle Johnstone’s former bedroom, which is a favorite among Johnstone’s grandchildren, features a small Christmas tree lighting the corner with some of Michelle Johnstone’s ornaments hanging delicately. Bosco bear, Michelle Johnstone’s stuffed friend, keeps the room company. 

“When you pick him up, you actually feel my daughter,” Marge Johnstone said. 

Another room transports Marge Johnstone back to her time living in Manitoba, Canada, with log beds, décor featuring a red truck with a tree in the back and a comforter spread saying “home for the holidays.” 

There are three areas of the home in which Marge Johnstone sets up her little villages. One is in the living room where it can be seen as people enter the home. Another is in the family room, complete with a Northern Lights background. Lastly, without more space in her home, she was forced to put the final village on top of her cabinets in her kitchen.

Outside the home, Marge Johnstone has created a winter wonderland, complete with white holographic snowmen, deer, snowflakes and more. 

And of course, Santa and his sleigh stand proud on the corner as the perfect photo opportunity for visitors. 

Every year while unpacking all the decorations, Marge Johnstone spends time reminiscing on where the items came, who gave them to her and memories associated with them. 

She always puts the Chick-fil-A sandwich ornament on her big flocked tree that was given to her by a friend who works for the restaurant chain as well as the handmade wreath ornament featuring a photo of her granddaughter that she made when she was little. Each ornament was given to her by someone knowing her love for the season. 

Photo by Liz Ramos

Season of sharing

Marge Johnstone’s Christmas decorating traditions stem from her childhood in Canada. She and her family would decorate their home, but it always was custom to visit the homes of friends and family throughout the season. 

“It was always about community,” she said.

So when she was living on her own, she continued the same tradition. She set up a giant table for everyone to walk around to see her decorations and spend time together. She brought in carolers, as well. To add to the magic, big flakes of snow would fall on the day she invited people into her home each year, she said.

“Presents aren’t important to me; it’s this and everybody can enjoy it,” Marge Johnstone said. “It does good for my heart. It really does. … It’s all about people. You have to care.”

She always has goosebumps crawling up and down her skin when she sees people’s reactions to her home during Christmastime. 

Marge Johnstone’s grandchildren refuse to go anywhere besides her house for Christmas Eve because they want to have dinner and celebrate Christmas in the most festive home. 

The most special night of the year comes on the last night of Ocoee Fire Department’s Operation Santa, which was Thursday, Dec. 18, this year.

The Johnstone home is the last stop, and it is flooded with hundreds of people coming in to feel the Christmas spirit, witness the North Pole of Ocoee and enjoy the hundreds of snacks Johnstone prepares. 

People who weren’t in the holiday spirit before are ready to celebrate once again after seeing her enchanting home.

She makes it snow in Florida on the night of Operation Santa, drawing people further into the winter wonderland. 

Marge Johnstone is proud when she sees people’s reactions. They’re in awe and amazed by everything she’s created in her home. Her mission of spreading Christmas joy is accomplished.

“I have a full heart,” she said.