And girls in slacks remember Dad,

And oafish louts remember Mum,

And sleepless children's hearts are glad,

And Christmas-morning bells say "Come!"

Even to shining ones who dwell

Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.

And is it true? And is it true,

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in stained-glass window's hue,

A Babe in an ox's stall?

The Maker of the stars and sea

Become a Child on earth for me?

John Betjeman 1906-84 'Christmas' [1954]

By Alidė Kohlhaas

The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic art is once again showing its extraordinary display of designer Christmas trees. It may seem a little early to be writing about Christmas, but the First of Advent is only a little over a week away, and so this is not quite as inappropriate as it may seem. The specially designed trees, which over the past 15 years have raised more than $1 million for the museum, represent the unofficial opener of the Christmas season in Toronto.

Usually there are 12 trees scattered throughout the museum from mid-November to mid-December, and a 13th tree, a decorated live spruce, graces the outside as part of the city's annual Festival of Lights. This year, however, there are 14 trees inside that will be on view until December 10. The outside tree brings the number to 15. The Gardiner will close its doors for its major reconstruction program when its current exhibition, Porcelain & Passion, closes after January 18, 2004. The Christmas Trees display, therefore, is the final event scheduled there until the museum re-opens its doors in June of 2005.

Since this is the 15th season since the inception of the delightful Christmas tradition, the Gardiner has made this a 15th anniversary review. The museum asked 14 designers to each create one tree that recovers the spirit of past themes, while one was given the task to look at Christmas in the future. As always, some trees are more successful than others in capturing our imagination, and raising in us that spirit that we call The Spirit of Christmas.

This is not the kind of show about which one writes in a judgmental mood for each tree has something to say to someone, even if not to this writer. But, one has one's favorites. There is the tree called The Twelve Days of Christmas, which was the 1990 theme. This year, designer Julie Wakely had the great idea to involve Grade 4 and 5 pupils from Owen Public School to create the ornaments for her tree. As Wakely stated, ". . . we were able to work with the students to create a truly unique opportunity that allowed them to think outside the box and articulate their creative thoughts on Christmas. The base of the tree is a birdcage, symbolizing how the partridge was transported to the Gardiner and released to nestle upon the branches. The children's ornaments represent the balance of the Twelve Days of Christmas."

Maria D. Ramirez and Mary Hunter designed Art Through the Ages, the 2002 theme. They began their journey through the Ages with the prehistoric figure of a one of the many voluptuous "Venuses" found in many archeological digs in Europe and ended up with what we loosely term Modern Art. They ensured that the Madonna and Child are included in their handcrafted decorations, thus capturing the reason for the "why" of the Christmas Tree.

Another tree that evokes the essence of Christmas memories is Home for the Holidays, a tree designed by Julia West and Isabella Dabrowiecki. Their handmade decorations reflect on the things that families collect over the years and treasure, and are shared with others at Christmas. One hand-made star displays a faded note from someone written to or from Malta C it is hard to tell C in that wonderful old style of handwriting that has now been lost to us as more and more people opt for e-mail rather than hand-written notes.

There are too many trees to mention all. There is one, however, that elicits a bit of a negative feeling event though it is highly imaginative in its approach. This is the tree display called "Canada". It consists of 13 small trees decorated with the flags of the provinces and territories and a white central tree. It harks back to the theme adopted in 1991. These 13 trees surround the central tree, which is richly decorated with ceramic ornaments and which is crowned with our national flag, not once but many times over. Somehow, designers Ralph and Jonathon Neal have moved a little too far away from what the tree symbolizes. As much as one likes to say "Rah, rah, Canada," a Christmas Tree is not the place.

Having said this, I am sure there are many who will think me old-fashioned. So be it. This comment should in no way detract, however, from this wonderful display of trees placed throughout the Gardiner. It is worth a trip to the museum. There are two dates to keep in mind in connection with this show. On Nov. 29 and 30, a Family Weekend is a perfect way to start the Christmas season at the museum with a glass of hot punch, and at the same time take the opportunity to create your own decorations. This happens from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The other event is the Wrap Party scheduled for Dec. 10 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will be many one-of-a-kind ceramics and decorations available that will be creatively wrapped for you.

The trees, as always, were auctioned off at a special gala, and most will find their way to such places as Sick Kids, St. Michael's Hospital and various charitable organizations serving children and seniors. It has always been the tradition that the purchasers donate these trees, and that is the reason why they are taken away so early in December.

It is worth noting here that the tree event will continue to be held in 2004 despite the closure of the museum. Time and place are yet to be announced. As for the Gardiner, it will continue to operate out of No.60 McCaul Street, not far from the Ontario College of Art and the Art Gallery of Ontario. The museum will also stage a major ceramics exhibition at the University of Toronto Art Centre in September 2004.