OCEAN CITY, N.J. − In 2019, Sue McElwee and her friends unknowingly kicked off a festive custom when they put up a Christmas tree on the beach.

Initially, they were simply looking for a lovely setting for family photographs. “We decided to leave the tree up,” McElwee explained, “and let the kids write their names on shells using Sharpies.”

Before long, more visitors joined in, adding their own messages to shells and snapping pictures.

Fast forward five years, and at least eight more trees can be found at various locations along the Ocean City beach, each with its unique tale. “It really took off in 2020,” noted McElwee, a mother of four who made Ocean City her permanent residence that year, a place known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”

“Even in winter, people walk on the beach,” she added. “And during 2020, I think everyone was craving ways to connect with others while enjoying the outdoors. People cherished the simple things, heard about it through social media, and traveled down to visit. They could leave a message or their name on a shell.”

Her children, aged 8 to 17, have grasped the importance of connection and appreciating simple pleasures, and McElwee expressed her gratitude that others have embraced the idea and made it their own.

“People share their stories, which makes it truly special.”

‘A Genuine Celebration of Nature’

Paul Ribble takes up residence in Ocean City during the off-season. He enjoys the tranquility (and cost savings) of renting there in the winter months. He is among those who care for the tree at the southernmost edge of Ocean City, situated on the 59th Street beach.

In 2021, Melanie Stampone set up a tree on 50th Street. When a storm was forecasted, her neighbors, including Wendy Smith and Gail Ping, quickly took action. Knowing Stampone was unavailable, they gathered all the shells, dismantled the tree to prevent damage, and reassembled everything after the storm passed.

“It’s a true labor of love,” Smith remarked. “Without dedicated people, it would quickly become chaotic.” The following year, a dredging operation necessitated relocating the tree a few blocks south to 59th Street.

McElwee emphasizes the importance of making the North Street tree eco-friendly: “We need to be mindful of everything on and around the tree. We should avoid letting any debris blow into the ocean. It’s crucial to keep in mind that it’s not our living room.”

The tree that McElwee oversees at North Street is donated to Funny Farm Animal Rescue in nearby Mays Landing after the holiday season. Similarly, Smith mentioned that the tree on 59th Street is typically given to a local farm or the Cape May Zoo. Most of the trees feature decorations made from shells, driftwood, and even starfish.

“Our tree (at the 50th Street beach) is a genuine celebration of nature,” Lisa Walsh of the OCNJ Queens remarked via email, “adorned with handmade ornaments crafted from bird seed, peanut butter, pinecones, pretzel sticks, and, naturally, clam shells.”

Christmas Trees and Community Causes

The tree on 59th Street is provided by Ponderosa Tree Farm in Egg Harbor City. This year, while Smith was recovering from surgery, Ribble and others took the initiative to pick it up and set it up on the beach, ensuring the trunk was placed deep in the sand and secured with two-by-fours. The caretakers gather shells and place them into baskets, while plastic buckets hold markers, although some visitors take shells home to decorate with unique designs.

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Leading from 59th Street, visitors journey past the dunes and onto the beach. This year, they can bring nonperishable food items for donation to a local food pantry. Ribble mentioned that two large bins have already been filled multiple times since Thanksgiving.

A “Memorial Tree” stands at 34th Street, providing a special spot for visitors to honor their departed loved ones. Meanwhile, the 11th Street tree honors military personnel and veterans, featuring American flags and seashells for messages of gratitude for those who serve and sacrifice.

At 50th Street, the OCNJ Queens, a charitable women’s organization, successfully raised nearly $1,000 last year for Angels in Motion, a charity supporting individuals facing substance use challenges and homelessness. This year, their tree benefits Gilda’s Club of South Jersey, a cancer support nonprofit.

A Sea of Shells and Visitors from Far and Wide

Smith recounted that over the years, countless shells have been gathered just from the tree at 59th Street. People have traveled from throughout the East Coast and even as far as Canada. McElwee remembered a poignant moment when a mother from Boston contacted her to express how meaningful it was to leave messages for her two daughters who passed away due to health issues, creating a small memorial by the ocean.

Smith, who used to teach, has welcomed former students and their families to the 59th Street tree. She feels thankful for all the visitors, recalling moments like marriage proposals, performances of “O Christmas Tree” on the violin, and endless holiday photos taken on the beach.

“It’s like when someone expresses gratitude towards you, and you find yourself wondering, ‘Why are they thanking me?’ She remarked, “That tree brings me more joy than I could ever offer in return. People find happiness in it, and take care of it. We relish being able to create something that uplifts so many.”