Swarovski: Making wishes come true

By Arielle Paech

Building memories around the winter holidays is an important part of many families’ traditions. In my own, decorating the Christmas tree was one of the highlights. Each year, my mother would plan out a theme and use her vast collection of ornaments to decorate the tree. Our stylish evergreen was the centrepiece of our home and of the many seasonal functions we hosted. If you ask my mother what her most valued possessions are, she would probably say her holiday ornaments. Some of them she collected when travelling or as she was shopping, but the ones she holds nearest and dearest to her heart are the ones my brother and I made. No matter how sophisticated her tree, there was always a place for our egg carton and pipe-cleaner bells or our doily angels hung among the glass and crystal balls.

Whether we’re creating hand-made holiday ornaments or decorating the Christmas tree as a family, holiday activities are often centred around the children. Swarovski Canada, makers of fine precision-cut lead crystal glass products, also recognizes the significance of the holiday season for kids. This is the perfect time of year to help youngsters through charitable activities. For the past five years Swarovski has donated the proceeds from its holiday events and ornament sales to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. This is an organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with high-risk, life-threatening illnesses.

As with the tradition of decorating the tree, Swarovski Canada started a holiday tradition of its own. Since 2004, Swarovski marks the beginning of the holiday season with the unveiling of the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree at the Toronto Eaton Centre. The brilliant, one of a kind 35-foot high by 20-foot wide rotating tree is adorned with 10,000 brilliant Swarovski crystals twinkling in the atrium outside of the Swarovski retail store. This luminous tree has become the the centerpiece of the Toronto Eaton Centre’s holiday festivities, an experience the whole family can enjoy.

The stars are not just on the tree. The unveiling event also includes special celebrity guests. A memorable moment from last year’s unveiling festivities was Canadian chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk serenading Swarovski’s featured child, Brittany Brennan. A child who benefits from the Children’s Wish Foundation, aided by Swarovski’s charitable activities, will attend as a special guest. This year, the adorable Nailah Brooks is selected to join Swarovski. The November 21 unveiling will no doubt be just as special and memorable.

While there may not be any egg carton and doily ornaments on the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree, Swarovski has created an opportunity for children to decorate their own crystal ornaments. Each Saturday morning from 10 am to noon between November 21 and December 12, Swarovski Canada will host the Stars for Wishes Workshops. These interactive sessions give children the opportunity to create their very own sparkling Swarovski ornament to hang on their own tree or to give as a handmade gift.

Along with a famous songbird or two, there will be opportunities for kids to meet some of their favourite “celebrities,” such as Barbie, Dora the Explorer, and more. All proceeds from sales of the $20 ornament kits will go to The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

Witness the spectacular beauty of this one of a kind tree by attending the unveiling of the Swarovski Crystal Wish Tree on November 19 if you are at the Toronto Eaton Centre, and make it part of your holiday traditions. What mother wouldn’t be proud to hang a crystal ornament decorated by their little one? I know mine would, especially if the proceeds help grant the wish of someone else’s little angel.

Arielle Paech is style editor at Women’s Post. Click this link to see Arielle's latest Style File video.