Made in the Hudson Valley: Tarrytown woman shares holiday tradition through 'White's Whimsy Wreaths'
This passion started more than 20 years ago, originating from a yearly tradition with her sons.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Tarrytown resident Barbara White, who keeps herself busy creating wreaths for her shop - White’s Whimsy Wreaths.
"I definitely enjoy doing it," she says. "I live for the Christmas season...it's my favorite time of year."
This passion started more than 20 years ago, originating from a yearly tradition with her sons.
"It all started with making fresh balsam Christmas wreaths with my sons when they were in Boy Scouts," White explains. "As a fundraiser every year, they used to sell them. After they grew up and they weren't in Boy Scouts anymore, we had so many customers, we just kept the business."
After seeing the popularity of the fresh balsam wreaths, White expanded her business and started creating custom artificial ones that could be used year-round.
"I saw [videos] on YouTube that have all these people making wreaths, so I watched a few videos and decided to give it a try," she says. "It was very relaxing, so I just kept on doing it."
Ranging from holidays like Christmas and Easter to themes like Disney or the Grinch, White makes sure there is a wreath that is perfect for any customer. That attention to detail has kept her business alive after more than 20 years, as customers eagerly wait each year to purchase their next wreath from her shop.
"They are loyal customers," White says. "They've been buying from me for years. They love my wreaths...I have several people that, every time a new season comes out, they just buy another wreath."
White’s wreaths are not only sold during the Christmas season, but also throughout the year. She also has an extra 18 fresh balsam wreaths that are still available. Any artificial wreath can be purchased on her Etsy page. For the fresh balsam wreaths, customers can message White on the shop's Facebook page.
