Hershey Christmas Tree Showcase: Central Pa. designers combine comfort with tradition

Paul Kuehnel
York Daily Record

Designers from eight Central Pennsylvania businesses walk us back to a traditional Christmas during the Christmas Tree Showcase inside the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory at Hershey Gardens.

Adorned with cookies, pine cones, orange slices, and even letters to Santa, the trees are bathed in plenty of sunlight from the skylights and huge windows of the conservatory.

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A 14-foot poinsettia stand in the shape of a Christmas tree anchors the room with 170 plants that include tapestry poinsettia.

Bridget Cole tops her Christmas tree at Hershey Gardens. Rhapsody in Bloom, of Palmyra, decorated the tree.

The Garden Cottage features a “Cozy Christmas” display of holiday trees decorated with colorful ornaments made by local school students.

Businesses that designed the trees include. 

·         Crimson Clover Flowers, Newville

·         Highland Gardens, Camp Hill

·         Kyrsten’s Sweet Designs, Mechanicsburg

·         Palmyra Greenhouse, Palmyra

·         Paper Moon Flowers & Events, Harrisburg

·         Rhapsody in Bloom, Palmyra

·         Sarah’s Floral Designs, Carlisle

·         Sprigs and Twigs of Joy, Dauphin

The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens will continue until Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

Shawn Durborow-Bowersox attaches letters to Santa on a tree designed by Paper Moon Flowers & Events, of Harrisburg.

Other events during the holidays at Hershey Gardens include: 

Crafty Christmas Creations Nov. 19, 20, 26 and 27; Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 31, 2022; and Jan. 1, 2023 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can stop in at the Education Center, located in The Children's Garden, for holiday craft making. 

More:Photos: Pumpkin Glow, Hershey Gardens’ popular non-scary Halloween celebration

Elegant Airs Flute Quartet Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. includes a live flute quartet performing holiday music with the trees inside the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory.

The conservatory at Hershy Gardens features eight trees and a poinsettia stand holding 170 plants. The display is open through January 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus Sunday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the trees in the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. 

I have captured life through the lens since 1983, and am currently a visual journalist with the USA Today Network. You can reach me at pkuehnel@ydr.com.