Childhood friends Amy Baker and Melissa Anton turned their favorite holiday tradition into a full-fledged Christmas startup.
- Here’s a glimpse into their story, and how 12 Days of Christmas Props was designed to be a tradition that families of all ages look forward to repeating year after year, creating a lifetime of memories.
Tell us a little about your relationship first.
We grew up together in St. Louis, where our parents were very good friends. We were in school and ballet class together, and because neither family had extended family in town, we celebrated all of the major holidays together every year.
- So we think of ourselves not only as friends, but family. We often joke that this is a “family business.”
- Years later, we found ourselves living less than a mile apart in Charlotte!
Take us through the timeline of starting and growing 12 Days.
The tradition began on Christmas Eve in 1988, when Amy created the first props with things she found around the house. We used them year after year and then continued separately as we started our own families.
- When we reunited in Charlotte, we started sharing hilarious memories of using the props with different groups and realized how fun 12 props could be for just about anyone.
- We decided we could turn our tradition into something other families could enjoy with their own keepsake props.
- We launched with a small first production run, shared it with friends and family, and used their feedback to refine the product. Our second edition is now in stock.
What inspired you to create these props?
Our moms were probably a little tired of doing all of the work on Christmas Eve, so they decided to turn the tables and put us to work!
- They gave us roles for the evening, from writing the dinner grace to leading the carols. We both have such fond memories of the props in action, ones that still make us laugh to this day.
- They turn a familiar carol into an interactive group activity where everyone has a part to play. It’s silly, nostalgic, never the same and fun for all ages, and a wonderful excuse to put the phones away and just enjoy being together.
Have you always been entrepreneurial? And are you surprised you started a holiday business?
We’ve always been willing to take a chance on an idea, but neither of us necessarily pictured ourselves starting a Christmas business! When Amy moved to Charlotte, the timing felt right.
- We have the same vision for what this product can be, and we do a good job of dividing and conquering. It’s been a whirlwind learning experience and a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new.
What’s been the best part of sharing these props outside of your own families?
Sometimes it seems like asking people to take a leap of faith when we say, “Trust us. It’s simple. Just hand these props out and have everyone sing the song. We promise even the Scroogiest guest will have a smile on their face.” And then they do!
- It’s especially fun when people send us photos or videos of their families using the props. We love the idea that something started decades ago on Christmas Eve can now bring together grandparents, parents and kids around someone else’s Christmas tree.
What is your favorite Christmas memory?
Amy: Coming downstairs to find a long ribbon stretching from beneath the tree to this “high tech” looking box next to our TV called a VHS player. There was a VHS tape of The Black Stallion, and we got to watch it that afternoon.
Melissa: It’s a collection of memories that began the first Christmas Eve that Amy arrived at our house with a brown bag of props to lead the carols.
- My dad absolutely loved Christmas, and he was all in from the start! Now that he’s gone, those memories mean even more to me.
- I know he’d get the biggest kick out of the fact that Amy and I are building a little business that started with our two families having fun on Christmas Eve. I think he’d be pretty proud of us, too.
You can order your props here!
