At a Glance
- Two 9-foot trees turned into an 18-foot Christmas tree
- Veronica Dooley and Jade in South Austin built it with friends
- They hope to make it a new Christmas tradition
- Why it matters: It shows creative holiday spirit and community collaboration in the neighborhood.
When a 12-foot pre-lit Christmas tree order turned into a pair of 9-foot trees, roommates Veronica Dooley and Jade in South Austin turned disappointment into a festive project, building an 18-foot display that could become a yearly tradition. They began by contacting the retailer and learning the original tree was still on its way.
From Misdelivery to Masterpiece
The first 12-foot tree arrived as a 9-foot replacement, prompting a quick call to the retailer. The company confirmed the original 12-foot tree was still en route, but a second 9-foot tree followed, leaving the roommates with two short trees.
Veronica stated:
> “She literally called me and said, ‘We have two 9-foot trees. Guess what we’re doing?'”
Jade said:
> “I was like, ‘OK, I have two 9-foot trees. Am I just supposed to make a really tall tree?'”
Retailer said:
> “She said she was sending me a refund and to keep the tree.”
Faced with two 9-foot trees, Veronica and Jade decided to stack them, add lights and ornaments, and enlist friends for help.
- Stack the trees
- Add lights
- Gather friends
- Use a ladder
- Secure the structure
A Community Effort
With vaulted ceilings and a ladder, the duo and their friends set up the 18-foot tower, turning the living room into a holiday showcase.
| Order | Received | Final |
|---|---|---|
| 12-ft pre-lit | 9-ft | 18-ft (two stacked) |
The project was a group effort, with friends bringing tools and a ladder, and the result was an 18-ft tower of lights and ornaments.
Key Takeaways
- Two 9-foot trees can become an 18-ft display.
- Roommates turned misdelivery into a community project.
- They plan to keep it yearly.
With the tree now a centerpiece, the roommates look forward to repeating the tradition each holiday season.
