Decorating with personality: holiday adornments suit the distinctive styles of four Mississippi families.

Eclectic

The northeast Jackson home of Jan and Andrew Townes, decorated by designer Katherine Garraway Browne, reflects the past while creating new memories with the couple's six-year-old son, Holland. The white-flocked Christmas tree with mercury balls and antique glass ornaments in the family room is a reminder of the flocked trees that Jan enjoyed as a child. She and Holland love decorating the family tree but also have trees with their own special ornaments in their rooms.

Every year, Jan places a garland around her keeping room door to display all of the family's Christmas cards; each day, she and Holland tie on newly received cards with raffia. The Townes themselves send out a photo card each year: Holland, Petie, and Winston, as well as Jan and Andrew, wish you all a Christmas filled with many memories.

Christmas at the Ridgways' home in Jackson begins the same way it has for each of the 30 years Melissa and Richard have been married--with a trip to family property to select the perfect cedar tree. Family members and friends are always invited to share the experience and return with their own trees. The Ridgways' tree is decorated with prized handmade ornaments from their four children at all ages and stages of life. A few of the family's ornaments now adorn new trees as gifts to the spouses of son Lewis and daughter Caroline.

Richard and son Grant love the holiday fragrance that emanates from the live native greenery and garlands on pictures and mirrors throughout the house. Anna Bess, the youngest Ridgway child, says many of her friends travel during December, but she would not give up the fun, family time, baking, and decorating for any trip.

Playful

With its packages, bright balls, gleaming tapers, and even ribbons and greenery draped from the chandelier, the dining table awaits Jennifer's parents, her four sisters and brother, and their families for a Christmas dinner with homemade casseroles and delicious treats. With the help of designer Leah Gray of The Pine Cone, the Clunans' children, Bailey, Jack, and even baby Carsyn, decorate the family tree with cheery and bright ornaments they have collected over the years.

Even warm-weather residents deserve a snowman; the Clunan children always dress theirs--set among metal trees Jennifer discovered at the Canton Flea Market--in hat, scarf, and gloves just in case it snows. The Clunans say they believe the holiday is all about children, family, sharing, and the true meaning of Christmas.

Spirited

Each year, the Puckett family adds something new to their amazing holiday display. An angel above the garage is for their two daughters, who are known as the angels of the house, and a couple of deer in the side yard are for their two sons. A flag was added after 9/11. Other special elements include a Santa and reindeer that give the appearance of movement, candy cane lanes, spiral trees with presents, and large balls and stars in the ten live trees around the house. Mary says placing the balls and stars in the tall trees is actually the hardest task. To keep all the lights twinkling, the Pucketts' nephews have the job of replacing any faulty bulbs.