Couple’s Christmas tree tradition brings holiday cheer to the beach
OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Christmas is just 2 days away and one couple’s tradition is bringing cheer to the beaches of Oak Island.
Michelle and Craig Ryan first planted a Christmas tree on the beach across from their house 3 years ago.
While they add lights and some ornaments to the tree, they mostly leave the task of decorating the tree to Oak Island’s beach-goers.
Each year, residents and visitors add ornaments, with some of them even including names, dates, and the state they’re from on the ornament.
“You know, this one, a family added in honor of their mom and dog who passed away,” Michelle said. “So that was pretty cool. This one is from Arizona.”
Unfortunately, a storm swept away last year’s tree.
Despite that, Michelle said he is happy to see so many residents and visitors take part in adding ornaments to what they see is the town’s tree, not theirs.
“It really warms our heart to know that the town has embraced it so much and they’re making it their own,” Michelle said. “So we just, we love it. We’re very appreciative, we’re very grateful to everybody that has contributed an ornament to just make this represent who we are in Oak Island.”
Her husband Craig said it’s also nice seeing people check out the tree from their house, with some of them evening holding photo shoots next to the tree.
“And it’s nice, we can see it right from our house so every time you look out here, there’s always people coming around and looking at the tree,” Craig said. “You’re wondering if they’re putting ornaments on it or doing photo shoots and what not. We’ve had Santa Claus and Misses Claus and the Grinch and you name it, people dress up to come check out the tree.”
The Ryans said they’ll collect and store each of the new ornaments placed on this year’s tree and use them again next year.
Along with the Ryans, several other families have also planted trees along the beach.
WWAY reached out to the Town of Oak Island for any information on whether they are aware of the trees and if planting them along the beach is allowed, but were told a response is likely until after Christmas.
