N.B. woman's themed tree keeps Christmas magic year round
Ruthie Allison has always loved the magic of Christmas and the lights and decorations that go with it.
After last Christmas was complicated by COVID-19, Allison decided to hold onto that magic a little bit longer, in an effort to keep the pandemic blues at bay.
Her fully decorated artificial Christmas tree has been standing in her living room for over a year now. She says she was inspired by the Town of Riverview to keep it up.
“They were going to leave all of their Christmas lights on along the river because of COVID-19 and the pandemic to keep people happy and I thought, 'Wow,' And if they can do it, so can I. I can leave my tree up,” said Allison.
But, as the weeks turned to months, and new holidays approached, Allison decided to shake things up, changing out the decorations for each new season and holiday.
“We did Valentine’s Day, we went to Saint Patrick’s Day and of course, Easter came along - we had a good time with that. And then I went to my spring flower tree and that went to a Canada Day tree,” said Allison.
Allison’s husband, Ronald, says he prefers to leave the decorating to his wife but is a big fan of the new tradition.
“It brings her a lot of joy. While I’m sitting here watching Live at Five, she’s playing with the tree,” laughed Ronald.
Allison says friends and family always inquire about new decorations and themes, with some even helping her with ideas.
Debbie Wilson first met Allison in Florida where the two usually spend the winter months with their husbands. When COVID-19 kept both couples from travelling last year, Wilson says decorations from a winter beach party she threw made for a perfect summer-themed tree to remind them of the weather they’d normally be experiencing down south.
“Down in Florida, all of the dances where we stay, they’re all themed and we all spend the summer here gathering props and so on to bring for the themed dances and it’s just who can outdo the next person. We are reliving our childhood and we are having fun,” said Wilson.
Aside from gifts given by friends, Allison gets the majority of her decorations from the dollar store.
“The average cost of each of my trees was $15, so therefore it’s in many budgets. People don’t have to be out looking for expensive decorations,” said Allison.
As for if the tree will ever go back in a box in the basement, Allison doesn't see that happening anytime soon.
“I told my husband I think this is going to be a new piece of furniture in the living room all the time. I just want to keep it going because it's just so merry,” said Allison.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.