Each ornament on Earl Douglas' Christmas tree has a history as well as a special meaning for the Fort Smith resident.
"People who know me know I love Christmas," Douglas said. "If people can't take time out of their life for Christmas, then there is nothing they will take time out for."
Douglas' tree sits in the parlor of his 141-year-old home in Fort Smith. The colonial house was built in 1876 for the Rogers family, a prominent family in Fort Smith's history, and was purchased by Douglas about 10 years ago.
"Everything here has a story," Douglas said of his tree. "The more you look at it, the more you'll find. I just overdo, because I have so many things."
Ornaments and items on the tree date from 1909 and continue into the 21st century. They range from silver bells and wise men given by friends and relatives to ornaments made by Douglas' two sons.
Douglas said he's been collecting Christmas ornaments for more than 50 years. He retired about 15 years ago after working as a professor of psychology at the school of medicine at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Prior to that, Douglas worked in Hollywood as an interior designer, working with such stars as director Alfred Hitchcock and fashion designer Edith Head.
Douglas, a Fort Smith native, is one of 10 children born to Nicel and Beulah Douglas. There are only three of the siblings left, which Douglas says is another reason he appreciates friends and family so much. Douglas left the area when he began work as an interior designer but returned at the urging of his sons as he was getting ready to retire. His sons traveled with him while growing up as he was working. Douglas spends time now volunteering his time and design skills for local fundraisers.
"There's a lot of history here for me, and people here really do value what Fort Smith is all about," Douglas said. "It's got a lot of history, it's got a lot of love, and I'm not just saying that just because I'm from here."
Douglas said he tries to get his tree up by Thanksgiving or the day after, although this year, his tree was up even earlier.
Douglas' sister, Nadine, and her husband, Bob, began a tradition of bringing Douglas a silver ornament from Neiman Marcus in New York each Christmas, and this year was no different. A number of Douglas' ornaments originated from New York, including Three Wise Men from Tiffany & Co. in New York and several Santa Clauses from Saks Fifth Avenue.
"I've got things like that that are very sincerely appreciated, because they come from mainly friends," Douglas said.
Teddy bears from San Francisco from around 1975 are also prominent on the tree.
Other ornaments on the tree were made by relatives for Douglas' two sons, Ted and Kevin, as well as items made by the boys themselves when they were children.
"Those are my most valuable, as far as if someone tried to put price tag on some of them," Douglas said of the handmade ornaments.
But the oldest item on the tree is an antique doll from 1909 that wears chantilly lace and tops the tree. The doll was made in New York City and was willed to Douglas by a friend 30 years ago.
Douglas said he is considering finding some "old-fashioned" lights next Christmas that will give his tree a brighter glow than he says his tree has now with LED lights.