Turkey Day Over, Macy's Turns to Celebrity Christmas Tree Auction to Help Make-A-Wish Foundation

Never to early to start thinking about Christmas, all of you Thanksgiving shoppers! Start the pre-crisis-Christmas-eve-schlepp now!

For those interested in something unique, and charitable, please note that the venerable Thanksgiving Parade patron Macy's has launched of its Celebrity Tree Auction, which it bills as "an exciting new component of the retailer's fourth annual "Believe" campaign," which helps very sick children have there most cherished wishes come true." With help from the charity auction website charitybuzz, Macy's Celebrity Tree Auction features 14 fantasy Christmas trees inspired by your favorite Macy's stars including Jessica Simpson, Martha Stewart, Donald Trump and Tommy Hilfiger.

Macy's nostalgic "Believe" campaign is inspired by a letter written by 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon in 1897 to the editor of The New York Sun inquiring about the existence of Santa. Newsman Francis P. Church responded with a poignantly worded essay on the importance of believing, including the famous line "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist ..." This year, the "Believe" campaign launched on Nov. 6 and will run through Dec. 24. Believers of all ages are invited to write a letter to Santa and drop it at the "Believe Station" at their local Macy's store. For each letter received, Macy's will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million, to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

To go after the tree of your choice, you will need to visit macys.com/trees to preview and bid on the stunning creations, which are on display at Macy's Herald Square in New York. Each winner will have the tree delivered to their doorstep complete with in-home set up, and bidders will have the opportunity to make special wishes come true as 100 percent of the funds raised will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"Each holiday season, our 'Believe' campaign encourages people nationwide to celebrate the magic of the season through goodwill and generosity," said Martine Reardon, Macy's executive vice president of marketing. "We continue to enrich this beloved campaign by introducing engaging new elements that inspire our customers."

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Macy's Celebrity Tree Auction features festive Christmas trees inspired by 14 of Macy's "shining stars." These include design favs, fashion, food and sports luminaries: Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John, Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Emeril Lagasse, Ralph Lauren, Material Girl, Greg Norman, Rachel Roy, Jessica Simpson, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump.

There contributions are described in a Macy's statement as follows:

• THE KENNETH COLE CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S Vintage cool and a little bit quirky, the Kenneth Cole tree makes a statement unlike any other with rusted metal branches fitted with vintage shoe forms and shoehorns. Factory-inspired filament bulbs bring every brilliant detail to life.

• THE TOMMY HILFIGER CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S This 7-foot traditional pine wrapped in warm sweater knits, smiling family portraits and starring Morgan, Tommy's signature holiday mascot, is sure to fill any home with classic American cool.

• THE SEAN JOHN CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S A wintry mix of pure luxury and good vibes, the Sean John tree doesn't miss a beat! Cool and contemporary icicles and snowflakes jam with big notes and sparkling rhinestones in this silver show-stopper.

• THE BETSEY JOHNSON CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S Unmistakably Betsey Johnson, this hot pink number is every inch a fashion statement! Lit up in pink hearts, lace garlands and pretty bows with a wild side, this tree is sure to be the life of any holiday party.

• THE CALVIN KLEIN CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S Modern an elegant, the Calvin Klein tree is a celebration of a wintery night, breathtaking in its sculptural simplicity. A play of light and life--cool steel shimmers with micro-fluorescent lights and provides shelter for signature doves of peace.

•  THE MICHAEL KORS CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S Luxe, modern and refined, the Michael Kors tree is a shimmering silver arbor vitae, or tree of life. Fashionably fabulous and dressed to the nines, right down to the right accessories--black and silver ornaments.

• THE EMERIL LAGASSE CELEBRITY TREE FROM MACY'S Adorned with an artful array of pots and pans, the Emeril Lagasse tree is a holiday masterpiece that also has all the makings of a professional kitchen. So kick it up a notch! Bam!

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