Oh, Christmas tree!

This Christmas season, we show our gratitude for all the good things He has given us by way of giving to numerous charitable institutions.

In fact, some group of friends decided that in lieu of holiday presents, they would donate to each other’s favorite charity instead. With Jesus’s words foremost in our minds — “whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you did for Me,”(Matthew 25:40) — we look for various charities as a way of thanksgiving for the abundant graces we receive daily. This is the time of giving and sharing and there are several ways to do so.

Jeannie Goulbourn holds a Light up a Life event through her Natasha Goulbourn Foundation. One can sponsor a lantern by lighting it up on the Christmas Tree of Hope at the Atrium of Glorietta 5, Makati City.

Dusit Thani Manila, on the other hand, invited multinational corporations and famous personalities to join in their endeavor by donating and designing their own Christmas tree. This year’s theme is “Oh, Christmas Tree! Oh, Christmas Tree! Unity in Diversity.” Different people have different advocacies but are united in their spirit of generosity. The companies and celebrities showcasing their trees at the hotel lobby are Canon, Philippine STAR’s Celine Lopez and Tim Yap, HSBC, Lifestyle Asia magazine, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Rajo Laurel, School of Fashion and the Arts, Teddy Manuel, Tesoro’s Philippine Handicrafts, Tessa Prieto Valdes, and Thai Airways. The hotel also invites all its in-house and dining guests as well as Facebook friends to cast their votes for the best Christmas tree. P100,000 will be donated to the winning entry’s chosen charity. Voting is until Dec. 25.

Here’s a list of the trees designed by multinational companies and celebrities and their chosen beneficiaries.

• Thai Airways (created and designed by Rachy Cuna). This tree is made of silk in the opulent colors of Thai Airways — gold and purple. It is for the benefit of GMA Kapuso Foundation’s health, disaster relief, education, and values-formation projects.

• HSBC Tree (designed by prominent export entrepreneur and artist Al Caronan). This tree pays homage to Tahanan Sta. Luisa, a haven for lost girls who have been physically and or/sexually abused. HSBC has been a long-time partner and supporter of Childhope Asia and Tahanan Sta. Luisa, and lauds their efforts in providing these girls with a healthy home environment and a brighter future.

• Teddy Manuel Tree. Designed by Teddy himself, the tree is a chandelier of blown glass balls, various blooms, and lights. His chosen foundation is Sagip Buhay Medical Foundation, which saves lives and gives free medicine to indigent patients at the medical wards and ICU of PGH.

• Tim Yap Tree. His tree is made of 100-percent recycled materials of twigs, fabrics, and buttons used for the Red Cross dolls that are made from fabric and excess materials from factories. Red Cross is Tim Yap’s chosen beneficiary, which is committed to providing quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity of indigent Filipinos.

• Lifestyle Asia Tree. Designed by Junjun Ablaza, the tree is made up of wood products, traditional agricultural and garden tools, rakes, hoes, scythes, sickles, baskets and watering cans. It speaks of the relationship between gardener and his garden, and is a reminder of the earth’s blessings. The beneficiary is Make a Wish Foundation, which works towards fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children.

• Tesoro Tree. A showcase of Filipino ingenuity, the tree is accented by Tesoro’s traditional and best-selling line of Christmas linens, a belen made of bamboo, and abaca angels. Their beneficiary is Carewell The Cancer Resource and Wellness Community. It provides free support for those diagnosed with cancer and their families through consultation, support groups, lectures, workshops and other activities.

• Tessa Prieto-Valdes Tree. It’s made up of a hundred Barbie dolls donated by Myrna Yao and represents a hundred talented designers from all over the country.  Her donation will be given to a very poor school of Fr. Gerard of Sorsogon’s Divine Healer Learning Center, which has 300 young poor children.  Tessa aims to give Fr. Gerard’s school better lighting and proper ventilation.