December 23, 2011

Tumbleweed Christmas Tree, a Southwest Tradition

In the town that I live, the city every year has a Christmas tree made out of tumbleweeds.  It has been a tradition for 55 years.  It started because a storage room where all of the Christmas tree decorations were stored burned in a fire, and the townspeople scrambled to find a festive alternative.

Each year 1000 tumbleweeds are collected from the city and are assembled into a tree.  Then it is painted and donned with glitter and lights.  It is a fun southwest tradition.

Chandler's Tumbleweed Tree

I have a picture of my great grandparents standing in front of the tree from the 60's.  If I were more organzied I would find the picture and include it.  But, alas it is somewhere in my closet!



Chandler's 54th  traditional tumbleweed Christmas tree.
Assembly of the tree, with each individual tumbleweed.

Chandler Holiday Tumbleweed Tree

What unique tradition does your town practice at the Holidays?

3 comments:

Heather - Chickabug said...

This is so cool! I've never seen such a thing before (I've also never seen a tumbleweed in person, either).

Where I live we don't have anything near as unique, but we do have a huge light display set up on several acres - you have to pay to get in and drive though it, and it's all set to music. People come from all over to see it!

the Sweetest Memory said...

Hi Heather! Thank you so much. Tumbleweeds are definitely a weed. They are not very full and a little spiky and actually blow all over the place wind the blows -hence the name tumbleweed.

The light display sounds lovely!

Happy New Year!

Kari

Dollazfyiw said...

Hi Heather! Thank you so much. Tumbleweeds are definitely a weed. They are not very full and a little spiky and actually blow all over the place wind the blows -hence the name tumbleweed. The light display sounds lovely! Happy New Year! Kari