Memories of Christmas Past-The DIS DVC Members Christmas Tree

[WilsonFlyer]

Of all the weird things... I have never had a memory pop into my email from Onedrive, and yet just an hour or so ago, this shows up in my email. Of all the things I've thrown on my Onedrive over the years, this is the one they picked. Seems legit. It was and still is a great memory.

Does anyone else miss this tradition? I'm not sure if this was the last year or the next to last year, but I'm pretty sure it was the last. We really enjoyed the Christmas Tree Swap. What ever happened? I'm not sure I recall why it just sort of just stopped.

 

[nkosiek]

I remember this happening but wasn't in on it. We went down in 2015 for Christmas and it was happening that year, but our reservation was late and we couldn't get on the list as others already had. Always thought it was a fantastic idea.

I brought my own little 2 footer for the long weekend at BWV.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I remember this happening but wasn't in on it. We went down in 2015 for Christmas and it was happening that year, but our reservation was late and we couldn't get on the list as others already had. Always thought it was a fantastic idea.

I brought my own little 2 footer for the long weekend at BWV.

I looked back at my old reservations, and this appears to be from 2014 (which matches the date on my OneDrive Folder) so it must have been the next to last year. I'm pretty sure we did it in 2015 as you said, but something happened after that year, and it just never materialized again. I know it was a PITA (and EXPENSIVE!) for the ones that organized and started it each year, but they really seemed to enjoy doing it. I guess any number of things could have caused it to end. I just don't remember. It was a lot of fun for a lot of years though, and we enjoyed participating immensely, and are eternally grateful to the ones that started and continued it. I know it made a lot of families' Christmases even more enjoyable while at WDW for the Holidays, just as it did ours.

 

[nkosiek]

We only bought in 2013, but I remember reading the threads and seeing the pictures. It was really cool how even just a few short years ago both this board and DVC as a whole seemed much smaller and more intimate.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

We only bought in 2013, but I remember reading the threads and seeing the pictures. It was really cool how even just a few short years ago both this board and DVC as a whole seemed much smaller and more intimate.

You are not wrong.

 

[dcfromva]

I think it is cool that the photo popped up and you could enjoy the memories.

DH and I participated in the tree exchange a couple of years. In some ways I think the exchange was a little easier to manage when most folks had cell phone numbers with which to contact (as opposed to the early days when the tree share started). One could take photos of the bell services checked item ticket to coordinate with the next participant and one could better manage real time updates. (There had been some instances of lost trees at bell services)

I think maybe 2017 was the last one? But, I think the shipping costs were getting to be pretty expensive. And, also some resort fees being charged. Then, COVID also put a damper on things.


https://www.disboards.com/threads/15th-annual-dvc-christmas-tree-exchange-blt-bwv-ssr-vgf.3619351/

 

[bobbiwoz]

We liked to participate and send trees down. This was not “our” tree, but someone else’s in 2014.

 

[mac_tlc]

We enjoyed the Christmas tree swap a couple times . What a great idea and a way to decorate the room. Too bad it doesn’t happen anymore.

Mac_tlc

 

[DISNEY FIX]

View attachment 722222
We liked to participate and send trees down. This was not “our” tree, but someone else’s in 2014.

We have some of these great memories because of you!

 

[bobbiwoz]

2011. This was our VWL tree that we sent down.
The little book on the left as you look at the picture was where people shared their stories. Who they were, how they enjoyed the Tree experience.

Postage got too expensive, plus, it seems to me that there may have been problems getting them from Bell Services, were some lost? Also, maybe getting the tree back to owner became problematic.

The first tree that we had had jalapeño pepper lights, and we dropped it off at OKW. That may have been as early as 2003. I know in 2004, we had DMom’s 85th birthday at BWV and we shared a fiber optic tree there. We liked that one so much, we bought one just like it, I think it was at CVS, and sent it down as BWV tree for years.

I only have pictures on my iPad since 2011, so I can’t go to the beginnings of our participation. Does anyone else have pictures?

 

[bobbiwoz]

This is not one I sent down, and it is from 2017. It’s beautiful.

@WilsonFlyer , You are right, it was a wonderful tradition.

 

[CarolynFH]

We were never able to be there during the Christmas season, but I remember reading the threads and wishing we could participate! Such a beautiful idea. I know it brought joy to many.

 

[sarahk0204]

Yes, I was the coordinator for the last couple of years that the exchange happened. It was cool while it lasted. I will have to post some pictures.

 

[dcfromva]

Here are a couple trees from the exchanges I participated in:


BLT-1 tree from 2014

Thread from back in 2014:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2...change-please-sign-up-by-10-31.3333165/page-2


SSR tree from 2016
Being able to get cell phone numbers and texting was a game changer as it was much easier to make adjustments. We were even able to add a family after the exchange had already started because we had the tree at the time the request was made. Thread from back in 2016:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2016-ssr-christmas-tree-exchange.3536117/