Photo: Paul Sancya ~ AP
PODCAST
November 6, 2026 ~ Detroit’s Christmas tree in Campus Martius comes with a special family story. Elaine Zinger shares how the tree became part of her family’s history and why donating it to the city carries such personal meaning.
DETROIT ~ What began as a birthday gift more than four decades ago will soon become the centerpiece of Detroit’s holiday season, as a towering spruce from northern Michigan takes its place at Campus Martius. For Elaine Zinger, the tree holds decades of family memories, from wedding photos to gatherings with grandchildren, making its journey to downtown Detroit especially meaningful.
At 82, Zinger won’t be able to attend the tree-lighting ceremony, but she plans to watch from afar as her family’s cherished tree helps create new memories for thousands of visitors. The gift from her late husband and daughter has grown from a small sapling into a symbol of holiday spirit, giving one family’s story a place at the heart of a Detroit tradition.
