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Michigan family’s decades-long commitment to fat Christmas trees is the smile we all need in 2020

Posted at 8:50 AM, Dec 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-22 08:50:37-05

SOUTH ROCKWOOD (WXYZ) — One family’s decades-long commitment to fat Christmas trees is the smile we all need in 2020.

Related: The Good News Blog of 2020: Share your story with us!

Donna Rademacher of South Rockwood said she started bringing home a fat tree for Christmas in 1981 and it’s become somewhat of an annual tradition.

“It seemed like every year, the tree became bigger, and eventually we had to have a stand made,” said Donna.

But 'big' is an understatement for her pick this year, which is a blue spruce that’s 11 feet wide at the bottom and 10 feet tall.

The tree just managed to fit through their door frames with a little help from family.

“You can’t get them bailed once you get a tree so big,” Donna laughed. “You have to measure your tree to make sure you can squeeze it through the doors."

And nearly 800 ornaments later, her Clark Griswold vision was complete.

“It keeps your mind off of stuff,” said Donna. “It just brings the whole holiday spirit, things that remind you of old Christmas.”

Well, it's a beaut, Donna! It's a beaut.