麻豆传媒AV

There is nothing more visible and representative of Christmas than a decorated Christmas tree. Even Santa himself doesn't make as many appearances as this beloved piece of nature.

Of course, homes celebrating Christmas host a variety of versions of the Christmas tree, bringing a peaceful and tranquil feeling to the household throughout December. But the significance of community Christmas trees is often overlooked. They are created as a gift by the decorator to give a sense of joy, peace and comfort to others in the community for the upcoming Christmas season.

One very famous community Christmas tree is the renowned Rockefeller Christmas tree, a Christmas tradition now for 80 years. It's a spectacular sight and you can view it each year from the first week in December through the first week of January The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a symbol of joy, peace and hope for millions of people who gaze upon it during the Christmas season.

Examples of memorable community Christmas trees are the soft, warm glow of several trees at the community Christmas Service of Remembrance which offered comfort, peaceful surroundings and tranquillity. Set up not only to decorate the service surroundings, the memorial tree offers a symbolic gesture to those grieving who can place an ornament on its branches in memory of a loved one's passing. Throughout the service, the twinkle of the ornaments in the white lights of the tree shines light on those lives remembered in this event.

The tall tree placed at the entrance to town and the tree at the end of Main Street represent a community that likes to embrace Christmas as a community, and as friends and neighbours. These trees are welcoming representations for those entering town and the downtown tree is a majestic symbol for those out and about on Main Street, watching snow sit lightly on the pine as ornaments twirl in winter breezes.

Long term care volunteers go to great lengths to erect and elaborately decorate trees in the main foyers as well as in each pod of their unit. Bringing this beauty to residents and visitors alike is truly a gift to those who get to appreciate them during the Christmas season.

Unity Public School used to host an annual festival of trees for hundreds to see in a tour of their hallways during December, with visitors admiring the traditional, themed and memorial trees placed there. Recognizing the peacefulness this environment offers, the school still assigns each classroom a tree to be representative of each class that year. From handmade ornaments to colour schemes, each tree is part of the school's culture and character, enjoyed by all who get to see them.

Delta Co-op moved their former large tree from the entry into a smaller version in their coffee seating area to bring home their mandate, "You're at home here."

Numerous businesses welcome their guests, friends and customers with a Christmas tree in their midst. In a busy season, owners or staff take time to create a personalized tree for their location. "It helps give staff the feeling of home while offering our customers and friends the warm environment of Christmas," said one Unity business person.

Driving the Christmas light tour in town, admirers can notice trees lit up in residences and businesses as part of their tour. But the trees lit up outside the property are also admired. Take for instance the work at the Hill residence on the end of 3rd Avenue West in Unity where several tall trees light up the corner and neighborhood with their branches aglow for the season.

There are unique trees, colour co-ordinated ones, tall ones and small ones, but each tree is crafted with the spirit of Christmas, aimed at giving viewing pleasure to all who encounter it. The decorators set out with the goal in mind of giving a Christmas gift of their decorating talent to those who get to enjoy the seasonal masterpiece in their midst.

So, we might not get to experience a "festival of trees" all in one venue like big centres, but, we do get to enjoy the community Christmas trees in a variety of places throughout the community. It's like enjoying one big, sparkling Christmas present.