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
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.