Earlier this week I got a sneak preview of this year’s Festival of the Trees, now in its thirtieth year, at the Orlando Museum of Art, and I was amazed at the creativity and beauty of the trees, each decorated by different individuals or groups.
I was also invited to be one of three judges who would decide which decorated trees would get “Most Original,” “Most Whimsical,” and “Best of Show.” And let me tell you, it was a really hard decision.
Festival of the Trees, now in its thirtieth year, returns to the Orlando Museum of Art from November 12-20, 2016.
During this annual event, the museum is transformed into a glittering wonderland filled with sparkling trees, vignettes and stunning holiday décor, suitable for visitors of all ages.
I’ve seen snow Santas and sand Santas but the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel has a Santa sculpture I’ve never seen before – a life-size chocolate Santa.
The entire display, complete with armchair, fireplace and Christmas tree, is made from 1,200 pounds of chocolate.
According to the hotel, their world-champion executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, used 880 pounds of dark chocolate, 132 pounds of milk chocolate, 154 pounds of white chocolate and 120 pounds of cocoa butter.
They also say this amazing creation contains almost 3,000,000 calories. Something tells me Weight Watchers would not approve.
Not sure what they’re going to do with the sculpture when the holidays are over, but I sure hope they have the air conditioning cranked up to prevent it from melting in the meantime.
[Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin]