This Affair Is Ornamental, My Dear Watson
The event: The 10th anniversary of Christmas Tree Magic, an annual luncheon/auction featuring holiday trees decorated by local designers. This year’s event, held Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, benefited Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the Orange County Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County.
Happy holidays: Event chairwoman Sylvia Burnett founded the annual benefit to support underserved children during the holidays “because it’s such a special time for them,” she said. Along with co-chairwoman Sharon Williamson and volunteers and friends, Burnett has helped raise about $500,000, including proceeds from Sunday’s event.
Winter wonderland: Life-size toy soldiers and pots of red poinsettias flanked the doorway to the ballroom, where the decorated trees were on display. The ornately adorned firs featured everything from candle sconces and bird cages to beaded fruits and porcelain dinner plates.
“People love the ambience of this event,” said Williamson, as trumpeters heralded the beginning of the luncheon. “It’s a beautiful way to kick off the holiday season.”
While guests dined on breast of chicken in balsamic sauce and a festive apple strudel, event emcee Ed Arnold introduced children representing the four event beneficiaries.
Carrie Almond, 20, stayed at the Orange County Ronald McDonald House five years ago after she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “I know what they did for me and just how special they are,” recalled Almond, now cancer-free and a student at Concordia University in Irvine. “They helped me get where I am today.”
Quote: Designer Sally Hicks, who has been decorating trees for the event since its inception, reflected on how thankful she is to have healthy children. “Hopefully, I will never need [the services] of these organizations,” she said. “But if I do, I’ll know how wonderful they are.”
Designer firs: Using children’s toys for ornaments, Michael Bauer recalled a bygone era with “Olde Fashioned Christmas”; Julia C. Higgins’ whimsical use of angels evoked “The Spirit of Christmas”; Hayley Fringer and Jan Timblin, whose “Dish Up A Merry Christmas” featured wine glasses and service for eight of holiday-themed dinnerware by Fitz & Floyd; Dennis Jones and David Brian’s “Blue Ice” tree glittered with royal blue icicles; Del Langdale decked his revolving tree “It’s Christmas Time” with colorful clocks; and a fruit-filled basket topped designer Christen Tawa’s “A Winter’s Orchard.”
Also on the scene: Dixie Arnold; Lynn Burnett; Roger Williamson; Donna Andert; Nancy and Robert Benedetti; Maile and Brian Lindley; Shirlee and George Heidler; Mike and Marcy Birney; and Mike Kelly.
