Are you thinking of going organic this Christmas?
It’s an age-old debate at this time of year. Do you stick to the safety and stability of a fake Christmas tree, secure in the knowledge that it will do its duty with artificial intelligence? Or do you spruce things up a bit, going for a real tree that comes with an enchanting scent as well as the slim possibility of a squirrel living in there?
For many families, there’s no substitute for the real deal, a fragrant fresh tree that signifies the real start of the Christmas season. And the best part of the whole tradition can be that trip to the tree lot, where families go to size up the gathered greenery and pick out the perfect plant for their own little winter wonderland.
That is where Lourdes Perez de Lara comes in. She has volunteered at the tree lot run by Aunt Leah’s Place every year since it first came to Lonsdale Quay in 2013. She and her husband plan their pre-Christmas season around spending some quality time amongst the trees every year, a tradition that puts them in the holiday spirit.
“Volunteering at the tree lot is a really fun way to kick off Christmas and give back to the community,” said Perez de Lara. We just love to see the happy families from the North Shore who come and choose their tree.”
There’s no better place to feel the magic of the season, said Perez de Lara.
“I love being around the trees, telling people about the work at Aunt Leah’s, and helping them choose their perfect tree,” she said. “Seeing families build memories together and get a feeling for the season, and knowing that they are helping a really great cause.”
Picking a tree can be as simple as pointing at the first bit of green you see in the lot and throwing it on the roof of your Subaru, but for many families, the fun part is finding the perfect tree.
That’s where the volunteers from Aunt Leah’s tree lot come in. Aunt Leah’s Place is a Lower Mainland charity that supports children in foster care and young mothers. The organization’s major fundraiser each year is a series of Christmas tree lots, including the one at Lonsdale Quay.
And the choices go much further than simply how tall the tree is. Aunt Leah’s stocks several different types of trees, each with its own individual characteristics. Some have needles that stay on longer, some are green, some are blueish, some are thick with branches, some are more spaced out. Some smell great, and others … well, they all smell great, some just a little bit greater. To help you sort through it all, Aunt Leah’s has provided a guide that describes the main characteristics of each tree. From there, it’s up to you, although the volunteers at the lot are there to help. Perez de Lara isn’t shy about sharing her favourite tree.
“For me, the Fraser fir is the best,” she said. “I like it because it has really good needle retention, it’s got a silvery colour under the needles, and the scent is just very fragrant.”
Once you’ve picked a tree you’ll need to take care of it to make sure it lasts until Christmas. Aunt Leah’s can provide a tip sheet for that as well, advice that can take your tree well into the new year if you follow the guidelines.
“Last year we had someone who sent a photo at Easter of their Christmas tree, and it was still in good condition,” said Perez de Lara. “She put Easter ornaments on it. If you look after the trees the proper way, you make a fresh cut, you check that it always has water, it definitely will last.”
Aunt Leah’s is currently looking for more volunteers to help out at the lot. Last year more than 90 volunteers worked at the Lonsdale Quay lot, helping to raise more than $86,000 for the charity. It’s a holiday tradition that Perez de Lara is thrilled to be involved with.
“Volunteering at the tree lot is a really fun way to kick off Christmas and give back to the community,” she said, adding that you don’t have to be a tree expert to join the fun. “I encourage everyone to volunteer. It’s super easy, you get all the training you need. You don’t need to be an expert. I have a marketing degree, I’m not an arborist. I just showed up and got the training I needed.”
Click here for more information on the tree lot.
