Martha Just Hosted a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony—Featuring an Evergreen She Planted 15 Years Ago

Last week, Martha hosted 100 guests for a Christmas tree lighting at The Bedford Post Inn. The tree selected for the ceremony was first planted as a tiny seedling on Martha's farm in 2009. "It has grown so beautifully over the years," Martha wrote in a blog post recapping the event. "I personally selected this one to be cut down and donated to the Bedford Inn."

During the event, guests joined Martha for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and Christmas carols. The proceeds from the event went to the Martha Stewart Center for Living at the Mount Sanai Hospital, a health center that provides seniors with primary medical care and offers support to their caregivers. "It was a lovely evening with friends old and new," Martha said.

The Bedford Post Inn, a charming and historic property close to Martha's home, was the perfect location for the event. The Inn was built in 1762 and is believed to have served as a shelter for soldiers during the Revolutionary War. "In later years it also provided a restful stop for travelers and postal riders passing through town before it was used as a private residence in the 19th and 20th centuries," Martha said. It was restored in 2007 and turned into the property it is today.

The Inn was decorated with fresh greenery, fragrant evergreen branches, faux candles, and wreaths on every door and window. A Champagne tower and bowls of candy canes made the event even more festive. And an ornament-making station provided guests with keepsakes to bring home with them.

To add to the magical night, carolers sang classic holiday songs. Martha herself even joined in and sang a few Christmas tunes. "It was so nice to see such a lively and cheerful crowd," Martha wrote. "It’s also nice that so many people attended to help raise money for The Martha Stewart Center for Living."

After mingling with guests and singing carols, everyone gathered around the tree and counted down before Martha turned the lights on. "So beautiful and bright. Happy holidays!" she wrote.