Carson Kressley Brings Humor, Heart, and a Little Gay Magic to Festival of Trees
By Cesar A Reyes
For Carson Kressley, decorating Christmas trees is serious business. The only catch? He prefers to have a few friends around to do the heavy lifting. Every year, the television personality, fashion expert, and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community welcomes friends to his Pennsylvania farm for Friendsgiving. The day after Thanksgiving, the Christmas trees go up, the ornaments come out, and the cocktails are poured. It is a tradition built around friendship, laughter, and a little strategic delegation.
“I host a fabulous Friendsgiving at my farm in Pennsylvania,” Kressley says. “It’s the perfect place out in the country to gather and enjoy all the fall harvest vibes.” Then comes the decorating, which he describes with characteristic mischief: “I, ahem, ask all my friends to help decorate the many Christmas trees that go up that day. We turn it into a party and celebrate our hard work with cocktails during the tree-lighting ceremony that night. It’s fun, and it’s free labor!”
That mix of humor and generosity makes Kressley a fitting participant in this year’s Festival of Trees, taking place Sunday, November 22, at Rich’s in San Diego. The event brings together elaborately decorated trees, entertainment and fundraising for a meaningful cause. This year’s beneficiary is Stepping Stone, the San Diego organization celebrating 50 years of helping people affected by addiction find a path toward recovery. Special entertainment by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Brooke Lynn Hytes will add even more sparkle to the evening.
If Kressley were creating a tree for the auction, guests could expect something with a passport full of stamps and a healthy dose of LGBTQ+ pride. A dedicated traveler, he has developed a tradition of collecting ornaments wherever his adventures take him. “Everywhere I go, I buy an ornament,” he says. “Yes, I’ve turned into your mom!”
His proposed Festival of Trees entry would celebrate destinations that hold a special place in LGBTQ+ culture. “I would create an over-the-top travel tree,” he explains. “For the auction, though, I would focus on fabulous LGBTQ+ destinations, from Palm Springs to Provincetown.” Each ornament would tell a story, recalling a favorite trip or a place where people can feel free to be themselves. For Kressley, decorating is also a way of keeping those memories close.
Beyond the playful spirit of the event, he recognizes the importance of supporting Stepping Stone, which has spent five decades helping people navigate addiction and recovery. At a time when funding for essential health services faces significant challenges, he believes organizations providing direct support must not be overlooked.
“The LGBTQIA+ community has a proud tradition of taking care of our own during health crises,” he says. “Now more than ever, we need to take care of our community. We are a family.” He acknowledges that discrimination can extend even to the availability of health care funding, but he has seen how people can respond when essential services are threatened. “We always rise up and creatively and lovingly come together to take care of our own.”
That sense of connection becomes especially important for those who feel rejected by relatives or struggle to find their place during a season often portrayed as a time of perfect family gatherings. Kressley understands that family does not have to be defined by biology. Sometimes, the people who embrace us are the ones we find along the way.
“Sadly, some families still reject some of us,” he says. “But the good news is that we can choose our family.” He recognizes that finding that sense of belonging can feel daunting and lonely at first, but offers reassurance to anyone still searching: “There is a community out there, and they will find you. You are never alone.”
When asked about the WORD, Kressley chooses one: kindness. It is a simple answer, but one he believes carries particular weight in a world that can feel increasingly cruel and divided.
“Our world seems especially cruel right now, for no good reason,” he says. “But as a community, we have always chosen to see the bright side of things and make the most of a bad situation by employing kindness.”
True to form, he delivers his message with a playful twist: “I think we can ‘gay that forward,’ and if we all do that, we can change people’s attitudes, one person at a time.”
On Sunday, November 22, Festival of Trees will bring San Diegans together for an evening of dazzling designs, entertainment by Brooke Lynn Hytes and support for Stepping Stone’s life-changing work. With Kressley adding his signature wit and warmth to the occasion, the event is about more than beautifully decorated trees. It is a chance to celebrate the people who show up for one another, the families we choose, and the kindness we can all afford to give.