Christmas trees, they say, symbolize joy and love at this wonderful time of the year. For some, however, they also symbolize hope.

The tradition of setting up Christmas trees goes back centuries, with Germany being the first country that used an evergreen tree trimmed with lights.

In the Philippines, historians and scholars believe the Christmas tree idea was first introduced by no less than the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in 1886. Filipino households set up their own Christmas trees at home to signify the spirit of Christmas.

Many across the country have veered away from the traditional green tree, often an artificial pine, spruce, or fir. They have innovated using recyclable or unique materials that never fail to catch attention.

'Christmas tree of hope'
Less than three months into his new post as commander of the Manila Police District Police Station 1 in Tondo, Manila, Police Lt. Col. Rosalino Ibay Jr. shares his Christmas blessings to the less fortunate communities in Tondo through his "Christmas Tree of Hope."

Visitors at the Raxabago Police Station will be greeted with the sight of a seven-foot Christmas tree at the entrance of the police station — a treat to the eyes of everyone as the white leaves glow in yellow gold.

What makes this Christmas tree unique are the ang paos (red envelope) hanging on its branches, which Ibay says are filled with various amounts of money contributed by fellow cops.

"The district asked us to put up some decorations, but we are not used to that, so we just set up a Christmas tree," he said.

Ibay said the money collated from the Christmas Tree of Hope was given to the cancer patients in the neighborhood.

By setting up this kind of Christmas tree, Ibay hopes the public will have a different perception of the law enforcers.

"This is not for the police. We do more than law enforcement. We also conduct feeding programs, and community outreach. There is really nothing new in what we did," he added.

Ibay said they chose the cancer patients as their beneficiaries to ease their burdens in small ways.

"We want to give them hope and share love and remember that life is always beautiful despite challenges in our lives," he added.

Aside from food packs, the Raxabago Police Station, through its Christmas Tree of Hope, also provided food packs and Noche Buena packages to at least 80 families of persons deprived of liberty.

'Reopening of tourism'
Meanwhile, a 45-foot Christmas tree greets tourists when they visit the International Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo, Rizal.

The giant Christmas tree, made of recyclable materials such as car tires, bleaching bottles, and scrap rubber slippers, is located at Sumulong Park in front of the Antipolo Cathedral.

The local government of Antipolo said the Christmas tree symbolizes the reopening of the town's tourism which was also heavily battered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Christmas tree itself is a tourist attraction not only for its gigantic size but because of a butterfly haven underneath the giant tree. There is also a dancing fountain surrounding the Christmas tree and mascots of different movie characters.

'An Enchanting Baguio'
The list would not be complete without the giant Christmas tree of Baguio City — the favorite tourist destination in the North during the Yuletide season.

Situated at the historic Session Road, the roughly 15-meter giant Christmas tree is indeed a must-see in Baguio City.

According to the Baguio City Public Information Office, the Christmas tree which serves as the centerpiece of the city's Christmas symbols and decorations, is made of steel frame and wire mesh. The body of the enormous Christmas tree is decorated with beads, pearls, glitters, metallic paint and a controlled lighting system.

The local government of Baguio kicked off its Christmas festivities dubbed "An Enchanting Baguio Christmas" by lighting the city's Christmas tree on 1 December.

Christmas trees, traditional or unique, are always a refreshing sight. Regardless of where the decorative custom originated, what it is made of, and how people include it into their Yuletide traditions, the Christmas tree symbolizes other several important aspects of the holidays — the spirit of giving, abundance and merriment.