O, Christmas Tree! Burning Bright!

It is always a bright spot in the day, when I receive an email from a retailer or other reader wishing to share a  business related anecote or great find that they wish to pass along. I recently heard from Gene Attal, president of fund development for the Seton Hospitals in Austin, TX, whose Sweet Charity Gift Shop won a gold Retailer Excellence Award for promotion in 2006.

He wanted to share a recent photo with us of the Christmas tree outside the store. Now we all know that there is little that is more beautiful during the holiday season than a decorated tree ablaze with lights. It truly makes "spirits bright." But this one went a little too far! 

Gene wrote: "I had to send you this great photo of the burning 25-foot Christmas tree outside our store.  Ironically, the fire took place Black Friday weekend! We couldn’t help but wonder if it was a foreboding omen of economic woes this holiday season!Fortunately, all was well.  The fire didn’t spread to the store and weekend sales were strong!"

And as NBC’s Len Berman says on his "Spanning the World" sports roundup of the weird, the wild and the wacky … "And nobody got hurt!"

I am happy that only the tree and its dignity were damaged and that sales were strong. I hope that all of you out there have a very happy holiday season. May all your Christmases be bright!