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Do we all remember those exquisite serving pieces of cut crystal that our mothers put out on the holiday table? I know I do, and I remember what foods would be placed in them as well. We had a special crystal bowl that would hold our ambrosia salad, stuffed with fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, and lots of marshmallows, and covered in sour cream, a recipe my mother learned in her early married years from other women in the South. I inherited those bowls, but, like my mom, I only put them out for special occasions. You will see crystal bowls like these at garage sales and thrift stores—it seems the younger generation really has no reason to carry on that cut crystal holiday tradition, especially if they do not have the space to store them for only one or two meals a year. Neither one of my girls wanted my mother’s crystal, so when I moved here from New York, I donated the pieces to my local thrift store.

The beauty of Facebook is that some incredibly artistic and creative people have come up with super ideas and have passed them along there to inspire others. Judy Winslow, head elf at our very own Santa’s Workshop (aka housewares department volunteer at the Assistance League Thrift Store at 1415 N 45th Street), was inspired in this manner and has been hard at work this past year repurposing donated crystal bowls of all sizes to create crystal Christmas trees, as well as various snowman figures. When the thrift store’s inventory of crystal fell short, Judy visited other thrift stores to find just the right pieces to complete her projects.

The elves at the AL thrift store are not just generous with their time but with their money, and one of those crystal trees raised $250 at the live auction during the annual luncheon this past weekend. The money raised from that event helps fund the projects AL takes on during the year, which allow the children and parents of Seattle Public Schools to have more than just what our taxes allow. Some of the Assistance League programs:

• Operation School Bell, working with Target to purchase new school clothes
• Summer enrichment scholarships
• Assisteens, offering teens hands-on volunteer and leadership opportunities
• Direct grants to help new teachers build out their classrooms
• Financial aid beyond tuition for students in our local community colleges
• Working with community partners, such as Solid Ground and Sandpoint Housing, to help families transition from unhoused situations into permanent housing

Crystal-mas Tree Raffle

Now, I know everyone who lives in Wallingford and the surrounding areas would love a chance to have one of these crystal Christmas trees. Assistance League has made that possible by setting up a raffle: for just $5, you’ll have the chance to take home a lovely lighted tree! And there’s a second chance to win: Judy has also donated a one-of-a-kind Mr. Snowman.

HOW TO ENTER:

• In person: Visit the Assistance League Thrift Store through November 29 to enter. The beauty of buying your ticket at the store is that you get to see the items in person, plus you can see all the treasures the elves have put out this holiday season.
  • The store is open Thursday and Friday from 12–4 pm, and Saturday from 10 am–4 pm.
• Online: On the Assistance League’s Donate page, enter your information, and in the “Is this a memorial or honorary gift?” field at the bottom of the page, enter “Holiday Raffle.”
• Ticket price: $5 per ticket—buy multiple tickets to increase your chances!
• Raffle date: November 29

Assistance League is putting out a request for more crystal pieces so that Judy can make trees and figures for next year’s holiday season. They take donations whenever the store is open. Other donation requests right now:

• Men’s and Women’s winter sweaters
• Men’s winter coats and jackets
• Men’s casual pants and jeans
• High-end holiday decor
• Medium and large paper bags with handles (no other bags needed)

Your generosity keeps the store going and is greatly appreciated!