Last weekend Matt and I surprised Corie by putting a Christmas tree in her yard. Austin was in on the plan, but he had forgotten about it so he was surprised too!
Years ago friends and Blind Pig readers Don and Susan, came upon a tree back in the woods that was decorated. Ever since then I’ve wanted to decorate a random tree like that.
I’ve thought about doing it at the Folk School or maybe on one of the trails at Fires Creek, but have never got around to doing it.
While thinking about Corie and Austin traveling for Christmas I suddenly realized I could decorate a tree in their yard.
The first one we thought about is a Christmas tree my brother planted many years ago down by the shed. After all these years it is very tall so that would have been difficult.
There really isn’t any other trees nearby so we decided to get one from the woods and put it in one of Corie’s raised beds.
White pine limbs are sparse and flimsy so it looks like what some folks call a Charlie Brown tree.
We didn’t plan to put lights on it, but ended up putting two strands on the tree.
I had some plastic ornaments and I made some hands of laurel leaves to hang here and there. We put some roping on the top and called it done.
I knew it would be late when Corie and Austin got home. I could barely wait to see what she thought about the tree.
They got home about midnight. I was sound asleep, but had asked her to let me know they were home and I’d check my phone sometime during the night.
All she said was “Made it! The Tree!” with the crying face emoji.
I was tickled even though it was way up in the night when I read her text.
The next morning she called to say thank you. Corie said as they were coming down the driveway her brain was trying to compute what she was seeing. First thinking it was her tree on the inside then quickly discarding that idea because it couldn’t be. What confused her even more was Austin never said a word! Corie said “I was thinking am I the only one seeing this?” It had been a very long day 🙂
Corie is over the moon about her surprise Christmas tree and we are happy to have blessed her. An added benefit of the tree we didn’t think about is we can see the lights from our house and are enjoying it too.
Tipper
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What a thoughtful, fun gift! Some years, along with the front of the house Christmas lights, I decorate a small tree we have out back with lights & bird treats. Some neighbors can see it from their upper floor windows, but mostly it’s our own simple decoration. We get more joy from that little tree than all the glitz of Christmas. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you!
Y’all are so sweet and your kindness to others is always so appreciated by the receivers. What a lovely gift you gave to Corie. Both Your daughters are so aware of this and will carry your acts of this kindness to others. You are a blessing to so many. God bless everyone this holiday season.
Charlie Brown would be proud of it and all of your work and Matt’s help.
Such a cool idea! I know Corie loved it so much. I was thinking how when we go to see my husband’s family, I’m always so glad to get back home and how wonderful a surprise like that would make me feel. It was so sweet of y’all to think of that. Merry Christmas to you all! Much love from SC, Jane♥️
That tree is beautiful. What a sweet and thoughtful surprise. I just adore the closeness of your family. Y’all are truly blessed. Cherish every moment this Christmas.
What a sweet thing to do. Such a thoughtful momma and daddy. ♥️
You Are So Thoughtful, Caring Of Others. What A Christmas Surprise. She Will Treasure That Memory Forever. My Daddy Used To Decorate For People Who Couldn’t Decorate Themselves,A Special Fishing Hole He Loved, He Decorated Two Little Trees With Tinsel, Ornaments, Gumballs We Decorated,An Angel On Top,Tree Skirt.It Felt Like A Magic Spot.
In my area some random person will put a tree along the side of the road. Then ask the community to help decorate during the month. Well of course so many stop and place a few ornaments on…within a few days / weeks the tree is full and bright. Its so nice to see the community come together. The tree is always full and beautiful.
What a wonderful thing to do.
So precious!
We have some special folks who surprise everyone with a Christmas tree along the twisty mountain road every year. Not sure who they are. But it does your heart good when you come around the curve and there it stands.
Sweet!!! 🙂
“Random” acts of kindness are the best!
“Christmas is a togethery sort of holiday.’ said Pooh. ‘That’s my favorite kind’ said Piglet. “Togethery and remembery.” Tipper & Matt -this fit you all – your lives depict ‘togethery and remembery.’ Blessings!!! for you all are a blessing.
What a wonderful surprise Christmas gift. Those are the gifts that live in our memories forever.
I still remember a gift of that sort, that my husband gave me about 15 years ago. We were living
at the house we live in now and I always liked putting out birdfeeders. We live in the country and there are many birds of all kinds. That particular Christmas morning my husband got up early and hung the prettiest red birdfeeder in our backyard where I could see it from our kitchen table. When I came downstairs Christmas morning and sat at the table to have some coffee there it was. He had a red bow on it and the birds were coming to it. I can still picture it to this day, and I still have it.
Woody will probably hear the story many times of the time they came home one night and there was a Christmas tree right in his front yard.
Prayers and blessings to you and your family
I think I read somewhere once that the idea for a Christmas tree came from sparkling raindrops on an evergreen. Of course frost, snow or even golden light work to.
Love the TREE!!! And even better it is a Charlie Brown tree!! 🙂 What a wonderful and special surprise for both Corie and Austin. I just know your Christmas will overflow with the abundant love that wraps you all together as ‘family.’ Praying Granny will rally and be able to enjoy the moments with you all.
What a fun thing to come home to. Great idea!
As always praying for Granny.
This just made my day!!! I love surprising my family and friends with heartfelt, often silly little things, but this is a dandy!!!! Love the closeness (including proximity) of your family. I know you all know how blessed you are. Can Granny see the surprise tree, too?♡
Kim she can see the lights at night 🙂
I’m so glad you put the lights on it!!!
Me too!
What a great surprise!
Merry Christmas to all!
That was a great idea! Merry Christmas to you all!
What a sweet, sweet surprise! Corie will never forget it!
Oh how sweet I have thought about doing that but I think it’s too late now . You all are a so loving family. Merry Christmas to you all
What a wonderful idea and treat!! My heart is touched just thinking about it!
That’s just the best!! I love it. And I’m praying for you and Granny as you take her to the doctor today. Father God grant them strength and peace and safety. And a better than expected report. cc
Love this!
So sweet !!! I love this so much !!!
I love it! Isn’t this always the way when you set out to bless someone, it comes back in a double portion to you. Tipper, you’ve been blessed by making Corie happy and also you get to enjoy the lights from your house. We put up a Christmas tree on our deck either last year or the year before but this year it’s been far too cold outside. We’ve been living in a deep freeze for quite some time now and the weather doesn’t sound like it’s warming up any time soon.
How fun and so sweet to bless Corie with this surprise!
What a special surprise! I’ve seen more random trees decorated this year than ever before. One is along I-65 in Alabama. It’s decorated in red and silver and it makes me smile every time I see it.
What a wonderful homecoming for Austin and Corie. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Loved the surprise story. Christmas is a wonderful time to give. I also love Elvis singing why can’t everyday be just like Christmas. Giving has always warmed my heart. I am always very glad to receive surprise gifts also. Praying that Granny is at peace and has some relief from pain. Blessings to all.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE PRESSLEY AND WILSON FAMILIES!
I love this story. What a great surprise and gift. Merry Christmas.
This was a great story to read. I love to hear the banter between you and Corrie and her total surprise. This is a story that will be added to your family’s rich heritage and fold over and over in the years to come. Thanks for sharing with us!
How fun for all of you. Surprise things are wonderful.
I love that Charlie Brown tree! I want one! Tipper thank you so much for the cookbook. I received it in the mail yesterday. Merry Christmas.
Such a sweet surprise! Your girls are truly blessed to have such loving and caring parents. Merry Christmas Tipper!!
What a sweet surprise!
What a great idea. Corie will remember and treasure this gift her entire life.
What an amazing and thoughtful surprise! Merry Christmas!
What a sweet surprise! In the Coker Arboretum on UNC Chapel Hill campus, the “garden fairies” always decorate a different living tree every year. I love looking for it. This year it was a banana bush (magnolia figo)
So sweet!!! ❤️
Unexpected surprises are the very best! I think I see another family tradition in the making. Merry Christmas to all in & around Wilson Holler. Merry Christmas to Granny! Praying that she will feel comfort & joy this Christmas.
The limbs are sparse but the thought is what that matters. Some years my mother and Aunt Pauline couldn’t find what they called a “purdy tree” so they tied several “ugly uns” together. These designer trees looked nice and did the job just as well as a “purdy one”.
I think it would alot of fun, if one had the time, to decorate a Christmas tree on a walking path in the woods. It would bring a lot of smiles and cheer to folks we don’t know.
We aren’t going to Austin this year to see the boys and Jessica (Walter’s wife). Over the past few weeks I have sent their gifts I ordered online to them by having them directly shipped to them. Then I warn them they are coming via email. The house is quiet though. We were there during the summer and will return in March. Both of us have medical procedures that take some time to complete or monitor. To us and our small family that was the priority this year. So far everything is working out perfectly. Charles’ insulin pump is doing a tremendous job and my dupixent shots are keeping my skin clear. We feel so bless that there are doctors who have the knowledge and training to solve some of our medical problems.
Have a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year.
Kathy Patterson
Love this!
What a delightful surprise! Back in my College days, I was longing for the wooded area where I lived just b4 Christmas. With little $ but still needing some festive Christmas cheer, I made due with what I could find. I had an old tattered, lace tablecloth and a bag of potpourri. I cut the lace in circles, added potpourri in the center and made a satchet by tying a red piece of yarn to cinch the circles shut. I scattered those around my apartment I shared with a friend, tickled that I had a little festive decor. When I opened my door, there on the doorstep was a 6 foot tree and stand, secretly delivered by my BFF, and a box of red plastic apples and some lights. I got my tree! I decked it out with those apples and lace ornaments and a few crocheted angels I made, plus a crocheted angel topper. I thought is was the most beautiful, but simple tree I had ever had. Apples became a trafition for this retired teacher. I started putting the names of my children on those apples with the yearly date using a white paint marker. Have you every used those bright & shiney apple ornaments like that? Babies 1st Christmas, new puppies name and year (adding the date and looking back year after year and rejoicing that those apples were still beautiful and making memories.) My BFF and I talk about it still 30+ years later.
DoraBethe, what a great story! I’ve never seen ornaments like that before 🙂
I love this story so much! It makes me happy thinking about driving in seeing it myself for the first time!
Ah-you trickster-in an absolute FABULOUS way!!! It’s the little things done out of love we will remember. All the rest counts for not…. God bless you, Tipper, and your beautiful family on Christmas and all throughout the year every year as long as time continues! You’re a pretty, remarkable, special, kind, and energetic lady! It shows in all you do. I’d sure like to meet you at the folk school for you’ve done Appalachia proud!!! I’m certain to have taken one of your classes would have been just fun and oh what I would learn! A healing touch from the master for dear granny is my prayer today. Blessings to all at this time!!
Wonderful! Makes everybody anticipate next year! What ideas will they have for then? Merry Christmas to all the “family” and Happy New Year too!
Good ideal! Merry Christmas!
Now that is a clever idea. I wonder what little Woodrow thinks when he looks out the window? The magic of Christmas!
That is so sweet! This gesture just may well be the beginning of a new tradition in the Presley family. Merry Christmas to all with prayers for Granny. Love on her. Ask for and record words of wisdom from her this Christmas season. You will cherish them.
My 95 yo aunt moved to assisted living last year and sold and closed on her house this week. She and my Uncle had no children so us nieces and nephews divided up her possessions that did not go to Assisted living with her. I took pictures of items that we all took and then asked her to tell me the stories behind them. I have written the stories down in a book. I will cherish them.
Have a blessed week.
Love this! Simple gifts from the heart (big smile)!
Prayers for Granny’s comfort and y’all’s peace as you love her on.
Christmas Blessings to all the ‘Acorns”!
Oh that is such a sweet surprise! Y’all are the best close knit family that has so much fun together. Merry Christmas!❤️
Such a beautiful idea! Merry Christmas to all of you!
Praying for Granny!
That is so sweet. A wonderful memory from this Christmas on.
Prayers for sweet Granny.
What a precious surprise!! Merry Christmas to your sweet family!
How sweet of you all to do that.
Surprise, surprise, surprise! That was such a thoughtful thing to do! I’d say Woodrow enjoyed it as much as Corie & Austin. Merry Christmas y’all & continued Prayers for Granny!
Sweet surprises are the best…like homemade gifts!
What a wonderful idea! Merry Christmas to all of you!!
What a beautiful blessing y’all made for Corie and her precious family! I love the idea so much.
Sending prayers for Granny that she will enjoy this Christmas without pain
What a great memory to have AND a new tradition to start doing. You never know. she may surprise you next year.
What a wonderfully sweet thing for you and Matt to do! Bless you and Merry Christmas ♥️♥️
BEAUTIFUL!! You have created a memory that will be passed down through the years. That’s what Love looks like!! Have a blessed Christmas, everyone.
Tipper & Matt, That’s the sweetest thing! Corie deserved such a treasure especially now. Your all a wonderful family. God bless each of you.
That’s so sweet! I love that idea! I have some solar Christmas lights that would be good to do this with. Good idea!!
This! I love Y’all.
What a lovely surprise!