MEET THE NEW CHRISTMAS TREE HOUSE FAMILY, AND WHY THEY KEPT THE TRADITION GOING

Shannon Moffett and Michael Choy knew early on that their new home at Prospect St. and The Crescents was more than the average nice house.

When the couple, who has lived in China the past five years, first saw the house last spring with the huge evergreen tree out front, it was clear it was made for Holiday seasonal lights.

Photo: Christa Farrell Beshel

"We figured it out when we were considering the house," said Choy, who moved in a few months ago with Moffett and their three children. "People told us, 'that's the Christmas Tree house.'"

Maplewoodians have known for years that each Christmas season the lights went up courtesy of the former owners, the Burns Family. 

When the Burns put the house up for sale last year, they told Maplewoodian.com they always enjoyed the tradition, however costly it might have been for light installation and electricity.

Moffett said her family, which bought the house in April and moved in a few months ago, had hoped to be able to continue the tradition, but was unsure if it could be done environmentally.

"We did have a little bit of a struggle," she said. "It does take a lot of electricity."

The answer came a few days ago when tree crews were on site to install the lights as always. A slight difference this year is the new owners using more efficient LED lights, and with white bulbs instead of the colored variety.

"We've gotten a lot of positive responses," said Moffet, a doctor. Choy, a consultant, said "there was discussion of what the reaction would be" if they did not continue the tradition. "We are glad we could do it."

As for their children, 11-year-old twins Ivy and Park -- and four-year-old Oliver -- the extra Christmas tree is even more special than they had hoped.

"People at school, when we tell them where we live, they tell us it's famous," said Iby, a Maplewood Middle Schooler. Park adds, "it's impossible not to notice that tree in the front yard."

The family announced their intentions to neighbors with a note that also asked them to show their appreciation by donating to a worthwhile environmental charity. See it below:

Dear fellow lovers of the Top of the Crescents Christmas Tree, 

We are so happy to be able to light the tree in our yard, and to be part of this fantastic and welcoming community.

Although the delay in getting the lights up was due mainly to our status as professional procrastinators, we did struggle with the ramifications of the tradition, given that, for the next few years, at least, it looks like it will be up to concerned private citizens to battle climate change and the other effects of over-consumption.

Clearly, holiday and community spirit should, and did, trump (!) those concerns, but if seeing the tree lit (with our new low-energy LEDs) brings you joy, we urge you to turn that feeling into action, and donate to the National Resources Defense Council (https://www.nrdc.org/) or the environmental group of your choice.
Regardless of whether you do or don’t, we wish you all a joyful, light-filled holiday season, and thanks to all for making SOMA such a lovely place.

Warmly,
Shannon Moffett
Michael Choy
The Christmas Tree House
Maplewood