What do penguins, trains, nutcrackers, a cow and paint cans have to do with Christmas? The answer is easy once you’ve visited Historic Bethlehem’s Holiday Trees.

Twenty-six different holiday trees decorated by the Bethlehem Garden Club are displayed at five historic sites.

Each year there is a specific theme that garden club members are challenged to use the design and decorate their tree. Once the trees are displayed, visitors to the historic sites can cast a vote for their favorite. This year’s theme is holiday movies, while prior years’ themes have been Moravian missionary sites, trees around the world, and fashion designer trees, to name a few.

Staff members recall Historic Bethlehem and the Garden Club joining together with holiday trees dating back to 2014. Staff also provided interesting bits of trivia regarding the movies and the trees, making guests (and me) feel like a participant as well as a spectator.

They guided guests to specific ornaments that aided in revealing the movie identity of the tree. “It’s a Wonderful Life” had a tree topper angel and a bell ornament. Remember the classic line, “when a bell is rung, an angel gets their wings”? This 1946 classic movie lost money when it was first released yet is a holiday staple today.

A lesser known movie, “Annabelle’s Wish” (1997), displays a cowbell, hay and a bovine protrusion. “The Annabelle’s Wish” tree can be found in the Single Sisters’ House and the “It’s a Wonderful Life” tree can be found in the Moravian Museum.

Penguins abound on the “Penguins of Madagascar” trees. Trains are featured on the “Polar Express” tree and “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” tree.

Iconic paint cans? Pizza box? You got it; “Home Alone.” These four trees can be found at the Kemerer Museum.

These and the many other holiday trees will continue to be on display through Jan 9. Visit https://historicbethlehem.org for more information.