The Nordstrom Christmas Forest

No matter how traditional or puritan you are (and trust me, when it comes to holidays, this girl is prrrettty by the book), it's admittedly quite hard to fight the Christmas spirit until after turkey day. I for one, decided long ago, to embrace the capitalist spirit and incorporate Thanksgiving into "The Holiday Season." This way I get two months of yule tide glee, festive decor, feel good Hallmark movies, and reasons to bake.

I try not to decorate for Christmas before Black Friday, but can't say I haven't slipped a year or two. This year I'm already feeling the urge. Not having folded into temptation quite yet, I have a constant reminder at home, egging me on to decorate prematurely.

Introducing the Nordstrom Christmas Forest.

I'll back up.

Late last February on a quiet Wednesday afternoon, I was happily enjoying my free broke, unemployed afternoon, when I received a text from my friend Megan, who at the time, was working at the Flagship Nordstrom in downtown Seattle.

"I have a very interesting find that I think you need to get in on; it would require Matt's truck!" (this is before Matt sold his Texas pickup for a teeny tiny Porsche)

My response "Tell me more..."

Anytime this girl comes upon a great find, especially one that requires towing capabilities, jumping on board is a no brainer. We could have been picking up all of downtown's panhandlers and I still would have participated. When Megan finds a unique discovery, two things are guaranteed: Hoarding of odd objects, and tons of laughs.

The texts continue to explain that she had uncovered Nordstrom's master plan to redecorate for Christmas next year. This meant that everything used in the prior five years was now being liquidated. Usually offered up for sale to employees, Megan had found out that most of the trees were to be picked up that very afternoon by a dump service.



How can Nordies get rid of these trees, when this random couple is
so clearly enjoying them?

In a Charlie Brown moment, the sadness of the trees not finding a happy home at the Goodwill for donation (and the urge to collect something) overcame both myself and Megan.

I decided I had to jump in on the cause. But how exactly do I explain that I need to borrow a truck from my somewhat new boyfriend, without him thinking I'm completely crazy for salvaging Christmas trees in February, only to transport them back to my 800 sq ft home that could hardly make room for a 3 foot tree??

I will say this... Sometimes I am very thankful for my way with words.

Somehow within a couple hours the truck was mine for the evening, my boyfriend didn't think me completely insane... yet..., and I was off to pick up some Nordies rejects.

Upon my arrival, I found Megan had collected not one or two trees (for each of us, of course) but SIX Christmas trees. Tall ones, short ones, fat ones, skinny ones. Trees with birdhouses still stuck in them, and trees with lights dangling off them.

It was a mess.

I was thrilled.

I backed the truck into the commercial loading dock liked we owned the place (clothing deliveries? please.) and we got to work.

Once loaded, we devised a plan of division. Megan's husband is well aware of her hoarding. It's become a bit of a issue discussion point between them. We needed to sneak her trees into the garage and behind boxes before he came home and find a place to store the remaining trees in my 100 ft storage space in the basement.

Simple.

Amazingly, we pulled it off.

Megan hid the trees from John until Spring (and by then Christmas is just around the corner... you can't put the poor trees out to recycle when they've made it this far).

As for my portion of our "unique find" they have been happily stored with luggage and laundry for nine months. I couldn't tell you if the lights on them will work. Or for that matter, how many trees I have down there. Is it two? Or maybe three? Hopefully no real furry friends have made their home there for the Winter.

Rest assured, that plastic bag has done wonders in protecting the evergreen through three seasons.

What I can tell you is the story of the Nordstrom Christmas Forest is just beginning. In a matter of weeks, these trees will rise from their retail glory, after being cooped up in storage all year, for their second shot at life and Christmas spirit.


Ahhhhh, I love the holidays.