1. The (stolen) Central Park Christmas tree from "Elf"
In this 2003 blockbuster, Buddy the Elf’s Christmas tree was big enough to smash into the ceiling of his newfound family’s home. The modern classic depicts Buddy and his younger brother cutting down one of the monstrous trees of Central Park and dragging it home in hopes of putting it up and decorating it. Buddy then attempts to hop onto the tree in order to place the star at the top, which brings it crashing down. This crazy, overgrown elf’s manner of decorating the tree, as well as his wild decorating ideas, will surely be remembered for generations to come (accompanied by a chuckle and a grin).
2.) The Grinch's leaning pine from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
No matter which adaptation of Dr. Suess’ "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" is close to your heart, each displays a perfectly peculiar tree: one that leans, with its tip pointing towards the ground in a U-turn fashion. The kid-friendly Christmas comedy embraces the abnormal shape of tree that is placed at the center of the fictional land of Whoville. With the town’s wacky architecture and the eclectically-dressed, microscopic population (the Whos), it’s no wonder the tree is wacky as well. This movie not only popularized the Grinch as a character, it surely also gave limp trees a chance at being bought and taken to a loving home.
3.) The roasted timber from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
Uncle Lewis fosters the tragic demise of the Griswold Christmas tree in this classic 1989 film. Within a few moments of Uncle Lewis’ first cigar puff, the nearly deaf and blind relative accidentally sets Clark Griswold’s prized Christmas tree on fire until it’s burnt to a crisp (along with Aunt Bethany’s cat). Yet despite this setback, the Griswold Christmas festivities continue with a wild squirrel chase, an appearance from the SWAT team, and an obscene sewage explosion. If that doesn’t scream “Merry Christmas,” I don’t know what does.
4.) The scraggly-but-sweet sapling from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
Lastly, the ever-so-famous Charlie Brown Christmas tree is one of the most iconic Christmas trees in our culture. With its mostly bare, twig-like limbs, two-foot stature, and lone red ornament, the Charlie Brown Christmas tree is a wholesome example of how a couple of kids attempt to bring Christmas cheer to all. Let’s not forget the blue blanket Linus wraps around the base of the tree; these small details add up to a charming Christmas decoration and an even more charming memory.
