Woman’s home is a Christmas wonderland

Instead of decking the halls, one Houma resident has literally decked her entire house with boughs of holly and mirth.

Mary Ann Boudreaux, a former Terrebonne Parish educator and an avid collector of decorations and Christmas trees, is unquestionably filled with the holiday spirit. It shows in each room of her home.

It’s an amazing feat considering Boudreaux is recovering from brain surgery. But not even traumatic surgery could stop her from getting in her garage and pulling out her 45-year-old collection of ornaments and Christmas trees.

Boudreaux’s injury occurred last Christmas Eve when she fell and struck her head. Two days before this past Mardi Gras, she was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery to stop the bleeding in her brain caused by the fall.

Doctors told Boudreaux that she might not make it out of surgery. Upon hearing that news, the former teacher asked God to let her continue sharing her addiction to decorating trees for the holidays with the Houma-Thibodaux area.

After the surgery, she had no recollection of what happened on Christmas Eve 2006. It wasn’t until late April that she regained her memory.

But beginning in November, she was back pursuing her passion. It took Boudreaux 40 days to decorate her home for Christmas. She had no idea if she would be able to taken on the challenge.

“I’ve opened up my home to visitors before, but this year I am looking forward to sharing this incredible adventure,” she said.

Undeterred by the year’s challenges, she even included the Boudreaux homestead on the “Tour of Homes,” a fund-raiser for A Woman’s Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Houma.

Boudreaux’s holiday message to visitors sets the tone for tours. “We believe in angles, and we’ve been blessed by many, and the cross of Jesus you will see aplenty,” she said.

“The snowflakes, like people, all different they will be, sparkling and gracing each room, or every tree. So as you visit, and see what we have to share, know that you being here makes this a festive affair. We hope you delighted in what our Christmas brings, and at the end of this tour, we hope your heart sings,” her holiday poem concludes

Boudreaux’s home is filled with close to 30 trees – big and small – decorated with a unique theme. The tree count has been reduced slightly since she gave several trees to victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

Still, the nooks and crannies inside and the backyard along the bayou are adorned with Christmas colors.

And Boudreaux excitedly shares the story behind each room.

The foyer features a pine – dedicated to the memory of her late husband, Albert J. Martin – decorated with crystal angels dating back to the 1960s.

“This was my deceased husband’s favorite of any and all decorations and when I donate all these trees, this one will be the last to go,” she said.

Boudreaux was married to Martin for 33 years. He died of cancer in 2000.

Next is her tour is the treasure of the Victorian Room: An antique tree dedicated to her present husband, Larry Boudreaux, who was also her college sweetheart.

“He loves the antique style so much that we had a Victorian wedding,” she said.

The Boudreauxs reconnected and married five years ago.

Peering through the kitchen into the family’s den, a 1968 Nativity scene sits near a 100-year-old embroidery of the holy family. Next to that are sterling snowflakes and crosses that hang on a tree branch, a tribute to the first 16 years of her son’s Marc and Matthew Martin’s lives.

Behind the sofa, a small tree bears different class projects completed by her sons and her husband Larry’s grandchildren.

A display of Santa figures leads visitors into the blue homespun bedroom to view an angel tree. The next room, the red Old World, also has an angel tree. The angels are gifts from various people that have graced Boudreaux’s life.

The tour ends in the Cypress Room, where Boudreaux has a heritage tree decorated with many ornaments made by her mother, Theresa Chauvin, and other relatives.

“We were taught as a child to make anything that we want,” she said. “She gave me the ability to take care of myself.”

Boudreaux’s 5,530-square-foot house is as much a novelty as is its décor.

She designed it herself, without a plan, over 2 ? years. “I drew and created the walls, closet and floor plans. It was an awful experience, but I have accomplished it on my own,” she said.