The £25,000 Christmas tree ☀️
THURSDAY | 12.12.24
Back in 1978, two humans by the name of Avril and Christopher Rowlands planted a tree in their front yard. Lots of people plant trees, sure. But this tree was a special tree for more reasons than the fact that the above duo put down roots together for their first holiday in their new home. For one, it cost a grand total of $6, a very good price we’re told for trees in Worcestershire, England 45 years ago. For second, over the course of those 45 years, with great care and nurturing from Avril and Christopher, this tiny fir would grow to be 52 feet tall, the length of a school bus, eventually requiring a cherry picker to decorate with thousands upon thousands of lights each year. For third, along with spreading joy and cheer around their small town of Inkberrow over the years, Christopher and Avril have raised £25,000 for charities like the British Heart Foundation and Alzheimer’s Research UK through donations from people who travel far and wide to attend their tree's annual lighting ceremony. So maybe the moral of the story here is to plant more trees. Or maybe it’s that at its root, nature unites us in the most unpredictable of ways. Or maybe it’s about the potential of something small to grow when just a few people invest some of their time and care into it. Happy holidays Avril and Christopher.
Pantone’s Color of The Year — Mocha. Pairs well with peppermint.
Funny, Wild & Free
And now, for the moment we look forward to all year, the 2024 winners of The Comedy Wildlife Awards are here. Might we add, they do not disappoint.
Love Your Neighbors
According to the team over at Natural Light, 60 percent of Americans would like to get to know the humans who live next door to them. Enter the neighberator — a shared fridge of cold ones to bridge the gap in the fence. Not bad, not bad at all.
Other Good News & Happenings
The mysterious history of the Christmas Pickle. Pretty big dill people.
Free holiday hot dogs from Sam’s Club. Allegedly pairs well with peppermint.
Something to watch: Saturday Night.
New Year’s resolution suggestion: book a flight to Italy to compete in the goose game. Honk.
