We’re not sure how far back the McKinney Branch Ornament Decorating contest goes — definitely as far back as 2008. We have pictures from ’08 that document the ingenuity and creativity of our Simpson Strong-Tie employees. The year 2021 upheld the tradition.
The parts were provided by our branch and a table was set up out back for anyone interested in participating in this contest. Parts included the light tie strap, light mudsill anchor in ZMAX®, ridge rafter connector, mudsill anchor, framing angle, angle, medium embedded truss anchor, hurricane tie, panel sheathing clip, post cap, decorative star and decorative washer.
![Simpson Strong-Tie Parts](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SST-Table.jpg)
We emailed pictures of the ornaments to our colleagues in the McKinney office and people voted for their favorite ornament.
The top three vote-getters were the following:
First Prize: Sheree Wood’s “Lumiere” — The Nutcracker
![“Lumiere” — The Nutcracker](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Lumiere-—-The-Nutcracker-.jpg)
Second Prize: Michael Minton’s “Eddie” — The Skier
![“Eddie” — The Skier](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Eddie-—-The-Skier-.jpg)
Third Prize: Cara Fraser’s “Rudolph” — The Red-Nosed Caribou (er, Reindeer)
![“Rudolph” — The Red-Nosed Caribou (er, Reindeer)](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rudolph-—-The-Red-Nosed-Caribou-er-Reindeer-.jpg)
We had a total of eleven entries for the contest. Three of the participants made two ornaments — each completely different from the other. Our employees had so much fun creating these ornaments that they just wanted to keep going! Take a look at the rest of these wonderful creations (in no particular order).
4. Elf Ornament
![Elf Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Elf-Ornament.jpg)
5. Snowflake
![Snowflake](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Snowflake-1.jpg)
6. Copenhagen Ornament
![Copenhagen Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3ca19c7d-8044-46d4-9b1b-edc6ccea97bb.jpg)
7. Cube Ornament
![Cube Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Cube-Ornament.png)
8. Star Ornament
![Star Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Star-Ornament.jpg)
9. Reindeer Ornament
![Reindeer Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Reindeer-Ornament.png)
10. Christmas Tree Ornament
![Christmas Tree Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Christmas-Tree-Ornament.png)
11. Flying Snowflake Ornament
![Flying Snowflake Ornament](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/31d06277-84ce-41c3-92d3-7639ca5ec405.jpg)
- Here’s a bonus picture of the top three vote-getters with their fabulous creations.
Sheree Wood — Associate Sales and Training Coordinator, with the Nutcracker
Michael Minton — Inside Sales Representative, with the Skier
Cara Fraser — Strategic Account Representative, with Rudolph
![R to L: Top 3 Winners; Sheree Wood, Michael Minton, Cara Fraser](https://blog.strongtie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/92e89736-26dc-4231-bedb-81acddb60b78.jpg)