MIDDLEBURY — This year, the Henry Sheldon Museum of History’s annual Miniature Christmas Tree Raffle features nine one-of-a-kind, 24-inch tall miniature Christmas trees decorated and donated by talented craftspeople.
Because of the need for social distancing, this year’s raffle is online. The raffle of these works of art will support the museum’s children’s education programs. 
The festive trees are adorned with a vast array of enticing ornaments that will enchant children and adults. This year’s trees include: “Woodland Winter” by Nancie Dunn of the Sweet Cecily shop featuring felted cardinals, Swedish tomtes, baby reindeer, and a star garland; Sarah Pope’s “What the World Needs Now” with ornaments made from vintage books adorned with paint and gesso; “Cute as a Button” by Suzanne Douglas decorated with needle-felted sheep with antique and vintage button faces and a hand painted tree skirt; and “Enjoy the Ride” by Lauren LaBerge of Sweet Charity, a train-themed tree with a conductor’s hat and bandana, antique trains, antique car, circles cut from model train boxes and track. 
The tree called “Over-the Top Vintage Christmas” by Robin Huestis of Round Robin is bedazzled with assorted vintage ornaments including classic German glass birds with feather tails; “A Beary Merry Christmas” by a Secret Santa Artist features jingle bells and stuffed bear angels; Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars and trucks, Disney characters, and more fun toys fill “A Child’s Christmas” by Donna Sargent and Miranda Gero; Ashley Wolff’s tree “Feliz Navidad” includes handmade pottery ornaments, Mexican Papele Picado Banner ornaments and Day of the Dead skull ornaments; while “Pine Cones, Berries, Queen Anne’s Lace, Oh My” by Sarah Stahl is bursting with natural elements. 
The Sheldon thanks these generous artists for contributing their jubilant trees. 
View these unique trees online at henrysheldonmuseum.org/events/christmas-tree-raffle. There is even video of each of the trees.
Raffle tickets are available through Sunday, Dec. 20, and the drawing will take place on Monday, Dec. 21. The tickets are $5 for one and $20 for five, and can be purchased on the Sheldon’s website, henrysheldonmuseum.org. 
The Henry Sheldon Museum, located at One Park Street in downtown Middlebury across from the Ilsley Library, is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. They regret that the annual model train exhibit will not be running this season, but look for a few videos of last year’s train layout on the website.