With so many individuals and families in need, a spirit of giving has reemerged even as tough times continue. Charitable contributions have changed though. Simple monetary gifts, while easy to do, are not as fulfilling. Many people who want to help those less fortunate volunteer their time and talent. Others prefer to provide gifts and wish trees are a great way to facilitate this giving.
A wishing tree is an ancient concept, dating back many centuries. In this practice, an individual tree was chosen as a means of conveying wishes, hopes and dreams. A person would attach something to the branches to indicate their desire. This could be a cloth, tablet, paper or coin, anything to represent the person's dream. Sometimes an offering is also made in the form of a candle, flowers or other items. Just about every culture has some myth or legend associated with this practice.
These days the use of wishing trees has spread far beyond this traditional ritual. Many weddings and other special celebrations feature a means to attach messages and good luck wishes to the branches of a tree that the celebrants can then read and keep. They are used in demonstrations for social causes and even in art. Recently Yoko Ono installed one as part of an exhibit in Washington DC.
One now often sees a wishing tree set-p at Christmas times as a way to connect a local charity or group with the community. The tree is a means to facilitate gift giving for those who want to provide support. Those who desire to donate something choose a gift tag from the branches. The tag indicates the specifics of the gift an individual or family would like. Often it includes some details about the person's situation (but never names or specifics) to help provide a more personal connection with the act.
Retailers have also taken up the trend, setting up trees to benefit the local community. It is a wonderful tradition to begin with the family. The whole process of seeing the tree, reading the tags and then shopping for the gift is a meaningful moment for the family. It teaches us to be aware of the issues surrounding us and being thankful for the gifts we have.
The trend is growing beyond holiday time. Some malls and churches have a tree up year round. Setting up a tree can also be a fulfilling personal experience. If one has a charity or local organization in mind there is plenty of information available online on how to go about setting us a wishing tree.
Of course with the growth of the internet, the wishing tree concept has gone virtual. There a many sites where one can post a hope, dream or desire online in hopes of it coming true. Charities also have set-up virtual trees where one can choose to contribute a specific item.
Helping those in difficulty is an important part of culture and social fabric. While monetary contributions have their place, many like to provide gifts and wish trees can be a fun way to get the whole family involved in giving. So if you see a tree, take a moment to look at it. It might provide a means for your own wishes or help someone else's come true.
A wishing tree is an ancient concept, dating back many centuries. In this practice, an individual tree was chosen as a means of conveying wishes, hopes and dreams. A person would attach something to the branches to indicate their desire. This could be a cloth, tablet, paper or coin, anything to represent the person's dream. Sometimes an offering is also made in the form of a candle, flowers or other items. Just about every culture has some myth or legend associated with this practice.
These days the use of wishing trees has spread far beyond this traditional ritual. Many weddings and other special celebrations feature a means to attach messages and good luck wishes to the branches of a tree that the celebrants can then read and keep. They are used in demonstrations for social causes and even in art. Recently Yoko Ono installed one as part of an exhibit in Washington DC.
One now often sees a wishing tree set-p at Christmas times as a way to connect a local charity or group with the community. The tree is a means to facilitate gift giving for those who want to provide support. Those who desire to donate something choose a gift tag from the branches. The tag indicates the specifics of the gift an individual or family would like. Often it includes some details about the person's situation (but never names or specifics) to help provide a more personal connection with the act.
Retailers have also taken up the trend, setting up trees to benefit the local community. It is a wonderful tradition to begin with the family. The whole process of seeing the tree, reading the tags and then shopping for the gift is a meaningful moment for the family. It teaches us to be aware of the issues surrounding us and being thankful for the gifts we have.
The trend is growing beyond holiday time. Some malls and churches have a tree up year round. Setting up a tree can also be a fulfilling personal experience. If one has a charity or local organization in mind there is plenty of information available online on how to go about setting us a wishing tree.
Of course with the growth of the internet, the wishing tree concept has gone virtual. There a many sites where one can post a hope, dream or desire online in hopes of it coming true. Charities also have set-up virtual trees where one can choose to contribute a specific item.
Helping those in difficulty is an important part of culture and social fabric. While monetary contributions have their place, many like to provide gifts and wish trees can be a fun way to get the whole family involved in giving. So if you see a tree, take a moment to look at it. It might provide a means for your own wishes or help someone else's come true.
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Find a description of the history of the wish tree and visit our virtual store to view our selection of trees and East of India wooden hearts, now.
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