Lake of the Pines, CA — Area Woman Margaret Porter reuses her artificial Christmas Tree all year around to celebrate a myriad of festivals and holidays.
“It all started a few years back when I forgot to take down the Christmas Tree,” said Ms. Porter on Tuesday afternoon, “so I kept it up. Then I got to thinking, ‘what if I make it a year-round Festival Tree?'”
Ms. Porter shared several seasonal pictures with our The Fazzler correspondent.
“Look at this. This is a President’s Day tree, complete with Lincoln and Washington amulets,” said Ms. Porter as she pointed to her photo album. “And here is the St. Patrick’s Day Tree, my husband’s favorite. He puts empty whiskey bottles on it! My local Ben Franklin store has everything I need.”
All across America, Christmas decorations stay up long after the holiday season has expired. Often, one might see outdoor lights still strung on eaves well into the Spring. And some folks just leave the lights up all year. Occasionally, you’ll see a weathered Santa or Elf in the front yard, but often it’s hard to tell if the home owner is just lazy or a television-series-worthy hoarder. Mr. Porter says she has found the perfect balance.
“By far my favorite tree is the Fourth of July decoration,” continued a proud Ms. Porter. “Just look at that beauty [pointing to her photo album]. All red, white and blue. So Patriotic. So American.”
Some of the other holidays Ms. Porter celebrates with her tree include:
- The Prophet’s Day (Muslim observance)
- Martin Luther King Day (complete with mini protest signs)
- Canada Day (strung with gravy ladles)
- Kansas Day
- Groundhog Day (she also watches the popular film of the same name)
- Valentines Day
- Ash Wednesday
- Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day (Ms. Porter says she plans to get to Hawaii one day)
- Easter (Bunnies and crucifixes)
- Primary Election Day Indiana (similar to the 4th of July)
- Lag BaOmer (Ms. Porter has no idea what that is, but she likes the name)
- 4th of July
- Pentecost (one year she set the tree on fire)
- Father’s Day (more whiskey bottles)
- Columbus Day (decorates with fake chopped-off hands)
- Black Friday (decorated with last year’s receipts)
