Welcome to the Downers Grove Front Yard Christmas Tree Project

Hi there!  We're the Parrillo family and we're new to Downers Grove.  We just moved here from Elmhurst in the summer of 2017.  We live in Randall Park and we love our neighborhood and our new community. 

Downers Grove has so many things that makes it a special place and our neighborhood has so many great traditions.  From the soapbox derby race during the summer to - what we hear is a pretty special tradition on Christmas eve - the luminaries that line the sidewalks, the families in Randall Park and by Whittier School come together to share special times. 

We really loved living in Elmhurst and one of the holiday traditions that was spawned there was the idea of "front yard trees" that line the blocks during Christmastime.  The local school district runs a fundraising program where you can order a tree to be delivered to your block on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  The tree delivery is coordinated by a block captain and that delivery becomes a neighborhood event.  Around 9 am, everyone comes out of their houses, comes down to the drop-off location and gathers.  There was usually coffee and donuts.  And the kids played football while the parents talked and connected.  Think of it as a holiday-themed blockparty.  But one that only takes place for like 45 minutes. 

After the trees were delivered, everyone drags theirs back to their front yard and puts them up on stakes.  Usually, it was also a day when the neighborhood got all 'gussied' up with Christmas decorations and we enjoyed seeing and sharing the time with our neighbors in our front yard as we put up our lights and garlands.

And when the whole block participates?  It is spectacular!  You drive down the streets enjoying all the different ways families are decorating their trees.  It is quite lovely. 

The trees aren't big.  You can see one above.  They're about six feet tall and not that full.  But, they only cost $20.  And the school foundation receives the money. 

Now that we're in Downers Grove, we really are interested in bringing this tradition to our new neighborhood.  And that's why we've put up this site:  The Downers Grove Front Yard Christmas Tree Project. 

We're going to put up a front yard tree this year.  And we're encouraging all of you to do the same.  There isn't a coordinated effort, but you can go to Menards or Home Depot and they have small trees for $16 and $19.  Pick one up and join us by making your block brighter this season. 

We're hoping that if families are interested, we can make a coordinated effort next year.

But, we want this to also be about giving and caring for others.  So, we're going to donate $10 for our tree to Ice Cream for Breakfast Illinois - a charity that supports Give Kids the World. 

We're challenging you to join us!  For every front yard tree put up in Downers, we'll give $10 to Ice Cream for Breakfast too!  And we'll add your tree to our map.  You can check out the map here. 

Let's do this, Downers.  Light up our blocks.  And make the world a slightly better place together.