In the serene mountain community of Creston, B.C., a unique holiday tradition has taken root, transforming unsightly tree stumps into festive decorations. This heartwarming initiative, initially sparked by an anonymous individual and later embraced by the Town of Creston, has brought a touch of whimsy to the town.
Adorning Canyon Street are 10 tree stumps illuminated with a mix of colorful and white lights, some even sporting adorable red Santa hats. While Creston communications lead Brandy Dyer admits they may not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone, she acknowledges the festive spirit they exude, joking that gnomes might find them charming.
The idea originated when severe weather conditions claimed the lives of trees, including those along Canyon Street, prompting public discontent over the removal of the trees. Due to budget constraints, the decision was made to leave the stumps in place until replanting could occur.
Despite initial grumbling on social media about the unattractive stumps left behind, a delightful surprise unfolded when town staff stumbled upon a few stumps adorned with lights, sparking a chain reaction of decorating the remaining stumps. Dyer shared that the staff found inspiration in this grassroots effort and decided to embellish the rest of the stumps.
Responding to ongoing complaints, Dyer addressed the community through the town’s Facebook page, explaining the backstory behind the festive stumps. The post garnered significant attention, leading to the addition of Santa hats by a community member.
While the decorated stumps are a temporary delight, set to be removed in 2026 for tree replanting, the town has embraced the festive gesture. Dyer expressed a willingness to repeat the decoration if stumps reappear in the future, emphasizing the joy it brings to residents during the holiday season.
For now, the adorned stumps are spreading cheer to those in need, echoing the sentiment that Christmas, reminiscent of Linus’ words in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” is about spreading joy and goodwill.