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It's the most wonderful time of year -- when Torontonians celebrate the holiday season by braving the cold to pick out a Christmas tree and wrestle it home, mummified in burlap.
Sure, you can head to the big box stores to grab your Fraser Fir, Scots Pine or White Spruce, but there are plenty of smaller spots selling trees to raise funds for worthy causes. It's the season of giving, and this is a great way to do it.
Here are five places to go Christmas tree shopping and give back at the same time.
Sonny's Christmas Trees
Sonny's Christmas Trees has been a beloved holiday stop since 1991. Over that time, contractor turned tree purveyor Sonny Flanagan and his family have raised nearly $900,000 for Out of the Cold, a foundation helping the city's unhoused population. "I can make more money on construction, so there's no reason for me to sell Christmas trees other than I like selling Christmas trees," Flanagan told the Star.
The Christmas trees are sourced from Nova Scotia and Cobourg, Ont., and come in various varieties and sizes. Fraser firs range from $80-$120, white pines go for $80, and balsams start at $15 for small ones and go up to $100. Last year, they raised $67,000 for Out of the Cold. The Flanagan family runs locations at East End United Church at 310 Danforth Ave., No Frills at 243 Alberta Ave., Future Bistro at 483 Bloor St. W. and Stock T.C Grocer at 2388 Yonge St. The stores opened on Nov. 26 and will run every day until they're out of trees. Prices start at
The Boy Scouts
Scouts across the city sell Christmas trees to fund camps and other outdoor experiences for the city's youth, but none of them do it bigger than the 58th Toronto Scouts Group, who have been out in the cold spreading Christmas joy in Davisville Village for more than 60 years. "We have customers who come in and say they've been coming to us for their whole life, or for years and years and years; people who bought from our group as kids and come back as adults," said group registrar Evan Young.
The tree sale is the group's biggest fundraiser of the year, and the lot is exclusively staffed by volunteers. You can find them at 111 Manor Rd. E. while supplies last, which Young says is usually the weekend before December 25. Trees range from $90 to $175. Other scout groups at 2029 Gerrard St. E., 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd. and 670 Eglinton Ave. E. are also selling trees.
Treasy
Treasy's delivery staff dressed in Nutcracker attire deliver a dose of holiday sparkle with every tree sold. The company, which sells trees online in the Greater Toronto Area and around Ottawa, has donated more than $125,000 to Canadian non-profit organizations, and you can apply for your favourite charity to be involved this year by submitting a request on the company's website.
The costumed wooden soldiers show up at your front door on a chosen date and professionally install the tree right in your home. Trees start at $70, and orders placed through a charitable campaign link will get you a 20 per cent discount.
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A festive staple in the East End, the Beaches Lions Club tree sale raises money to fund local initiatives such as clothing and food donations and donating used eyeglasses for people in need.
"For us, it's all about supporting the community," said Steve Watson, one of the organizers. The Lions Club, tucked into Woodbine Beach, west of the Summerville Olympic Pool, has been selling Christmas trees in the area for more than 30 years, building relationships with neighbourhood residents who come back year after year to pick out their perfect tree and support the causes. Trees range from $75 to $120.
Sheridan Nurseries
The greenest place to get your greenery is at Sheridan Nurseries at 2827 Yonge St. in Toronto or seven other locations around the GTA, including Mississauga, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Whitby, Aurora, Georgetown and Kitchener. The organization supports the Kids' Health Links Foundation and Make a Wish Canada. They also focus on sustainability, recycling rainwater and water runoff from the day-to-day operations at their farms, using organic garden care products and forgoing plastic tags. They're selling fresh-cut trees that range from $100 to $150.
Channelling the city's holiday cheer to give back to those in need is what fuels these local sellers, but shopping for a Christmas tree isn't the only way to help at this time of year.
You can also ring in the season by donating to the Star's Santa Claus Fund, which brings holiday magic to children across the city by delivering festive boxes of gifts, treats and winter essentials.
The Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund
With your gift, the Santa Claus Fund can help provide holiday gift boxes that inspire hope and joy to 50,000 financially vulnerable kids.
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GOAL: $1.5 million
How to donate:
Online: To donate by Visa, Mastercard or Amex, use our secure form at thestar.com/scf
By cheque: Mail to the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8
By phone: Call 647-250-8282
Tax receipts will be issued.
To volunteer:
Email scfvolunteer@thestar.ca
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