Let’s be real—it doesn’t feel like Christmas without a Christmas tree. Whether you’re an artificial tree fan, or a live-trees-only supporter, or a “flocked tree for me” kinda person, there’s something magical about the twinkling lights and bright, dangling ornaments. But what happens when you’re stuck in the hospital at Christmas?
At Children’s of Alabama, you still get to admire the Christmas lights on the tree—and you don’t even have to leave your room! Children’s staff and community leaders transformed the hospital’s patio into a magical Gingerbread-themed mini Christmas tree farm on Wednesday, December 10. Patients and their families were able to pick out their own 3-foot Christmas tree—with a whole range of fun, bold colors to choose from—at the seventh annual Tree Farm, presented by Ace Hardware.
“This event gives patients a chance to enjoy a family activity, even though they are hospitalized,” shares Carmen Maddox, manager of Community Development at Children’s of Alabama. “We are so fortunate to have the support of Ace retailers around the state and others in the community. This support allows families to enjoy some holiday magic.”
Of course, what’s a tree without decorations? If you give a mouse a cookie… In addition to the trees that decorate their room, each patient also received a blanket, an annual Tree Farm ornament to keep, and decorations to “spruce” the tree up. Not to mention the snow and pictures in front of the hand-painted gingerbread house, made by artist Abby Jessup! Needless to say, while it’s never ideal to spend the Christmas season in the hospital, Children’s has made it pretty special!
