Beaufort’s Christmas Tree Lot Brings Holiday Joy Despite Hurricane Challenges

Beaufort’s Beloved Christmas Tree Lot Overcomes Storm Hardships

Every holiday season, Beaufort transforms into a festive wonderland, with one sight in particular bringing cheer to locals and visitors alike. The Lacey family, hailing from the beautiful western North Carolina mountains, has been selling sweet-smelling Fraser firs at their holiday lot on Lady’s Island for nearly four decades. With a towering 42-foot-tall inflatable snowman marking their location along the palm tree-lined Sea Island Parkway, their lot has become a cherished holiday fixture in the Lowcountry.

From Storm Scares to Holiday Cheer

As the holidays approached this year, Debbie Lacey, matriarch of the family, found herself wondering if they would make the journey to Beaufort. Just three months prior, the Lacey family, along with countless other tree farmers in western North Carolina, faced devastating losses due to Hurricane Helene. With an astounding 1,800 mudslides, over 100 fatalities, and 450 people still missing, the storm wreaked havoc on their community. Lacey recalls with emotion how her own mother’s basement was completely flooded, leaving behind 3 feet of mud.

“Our area was absolutely devastated,” she said, struggling to hold back tears as she shared the story of a family member who sadly lost their life in a mudslide. “I don’t think I will see the full recovery of my beloved mountains in my lifetime.” One neighboring tree farming family lost a shocking 60,000 trees.

Moving Forward with Support

Despite the hurricane’s destruction, Lacey and her family felt grateful to be in Beaufort, especially when support began pouring in. “People here have been nothing short of amazing,” she said. Locals visited the tree lot just to check in and offer prayers. One generous soul even handed the Laceys a staggering $4,000 check to help families in need during the holiday season.

“The trust the community has in us is heartwarming,” Lacey said. Local resident Robby Gwinn, who has been buying trees from the Lacey family for years, noted how well they take care of their trees, ensuring they receive plenty of water to keep the needles fresh.

Spreading Christmas Spirit

This year, the Lacey family brought between 750-800 trees to Beaufort, varying in size from 5 to 12 feet tall. The prices range from $75 to $290, though Lacey noted that the costs have seen slight increases due to the hurricane’s impact on transportation and land. A tree that cost $95 last year now goes for $100, but the family tried to absorb some of the costs by trimming taller trees to fit shorter categories while keeping prices the same.

Reflecting on the positive spirit surrounding the tree lot, Lacey’s daughter Jennifer shared anecdotes about how beloved they’ve become in the community. “Kids who were once little are now coming back to buy trees for their own families,” she said, remincing about the countless Christmases they celebrated on the lot.

A Holiday Legacy

The Lacey family is proud to continue their tradition of selling Christmas trees, with the annual pilgrimage to Beaufort being more than just a business; it’s a family affair. From her husband Bruce, who runs a second lot on Hilton Head Island, to her kids Stephen and Jennifer, the magic of the season brings them all together.

Caring for their trees has paid off as locals show up in droves to buy from them, with many even dropping off local catches and homemade Thanksgiving dinners as a gesture of appreciation. “They really take care of us,” Jennifer noted, grinning.

Shining Through Challenges

One particular highlight for the family this year is that a Fraser fir from another North Carolina farm will adorn the White House, symbolizing the resilience of North Carolina communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Lacey family themselves had this honor in 1990, making their tradition even more special.

As they embrace the joys of the season, Lacey beams with warmth, saying, “It’s not about politics. It’s about loving and caring for people.” And truly, the bond between Beaufort residents and the Lacey family only grows stronger with each passing Christmas.