A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado

oh, another candle.

Hmm.

Here you go, dad.

Ah. Well, there you go, baby.

All right. Great secret santa, everybody.

Now, time to get back to town business.

Why don't we hear

from our director of community development,

erin chambers?

Thank you, dad. I mean, "mr. Mayor."

so, as everyone knows,

last year,

two of our biggest factories closed down,

which meant we had to reassess our entire economic model.

During this process,

one thing became perfectly clear to me.

Brooklynites love christmas

and, each year, we go all out to celebrate.

So I believe

that if we promote brooklyn as a top holiday destination,

we will be able to attract visitors

who want to share

in what we all know makes our town so special.

And those visitors will become customers

and participants in our many themed activities.

As usual, we'll be hosting

our favorite events...

gingerbread contests,

caroling, decorating,

and visits with santa.

And... As the pièce de résistance,

this year's celebration will culminate

in a massive tree lighting in the town square

on the 23rd.

And with the right press coverage,

we can cement brooklyn

as the place for christmas in all of colorado.

So I hope you'll all join me in spreading the word

to ensure that we have the best attendance ever.

Thanks!

Oh! And one last thing.

I wanted to make sure you've met our new treasurer...

neil stephens.

Ah, hey, everyone.

Um, I just want to say

I look forward to working with you all.

And for what it's worth, based on the numbers,

creating a viable tourism industry

is going to be vital

to this the town's future and long-term success.

Also, I am also happy to report

that steven, our dedicated intern,

has already sourced a 40-foot tree for...

nope. It's no good.

Oh, no. What's wrong with it?

Root disease.

Which, frankly, is all the better for me, my dear.

I mean, how was I supposed to decorate that giant thing

all on my own?

I'm so sorry, mayor chambers.

I had no idea.

Well, that's okay, steven.

I'm sure you can find a suitable replacement in time.

all right, then.

We'll reconvene next week

and go over our remaining task list.

Oh, I'll be dreaming about it all weekend, raymond.

Yes, I know, maggie.

That's it, everybody.

Right back at ya, baby.

That's it.

The 23rd is almost three weeks away.

Please make sure whatever tree he finds

is both impressive and formidable.

Don't worry, I promise,

we'll find a tree that'll dazzle even you.

Hey, you want to join me and your mom for dinner?

Oh, I'd love to,

but I have phoebe's housewarming-slash-holiday party

tonight.

Hey, why don't you invite neil to join you?

He's new to brooklyn.

-Dad. -Maggie even thinks he's single.

-Dad! -What?

You always do this.

Do what?

Every time you meet a new eligible bachelor,

you try to fix me up.

Can you blame me

for wanting my only daughter to be happy?

Besides, if you're gonna be mayor one day,

you'll need the right partner by your side,

like I have with your mother.

Yeah, well, fortunately,

I don't see you retiring anytime soon,

so I think I'll have plenty of time to rustle up a man by then.

I tried.

I love you, dad.

See you Monday.

I love you, too.

there.

Yeah, you nailed it, as usual.

I try.

I am so glad you're home.

Oh.

Ladies?

Some hot cocoa to go with your gossip.

Thank you.

extra marshmallows? Nice touch, tom.

I think he's a keeper.

That's what I keep telling her.

you two are disgustingly cute together.

I know, right?

It's true.

Married life seems to be treating you well.

It is.

You should try it sometime.

Mm.

Thanks for coming over early to help us out.

You know me.

I live for themed decorating.

Oh!

One sprig.

you've got to be kidding me!

What?

What, erin? What?

isn't it beautiful?

I had no idea you were so into trees.

Huh? Oh, sorry.

It's just we're looking for a norway spruce

exactly like this

for the town-square lighting.

Oh.

Well, that's a relief.

I thought that you had suddenly

become super-into arboriculture for some reason.

Nah.

Winter fashion is still my obsession.

Oh, yeah, that's right.

Hats and scarves bring you light.

Okay, so that there is kevin snyder

and his daughter, claire.

I think he said he's a firefighter.

And single.

Take it easy, cupid.

I'm just doing my job.

Uh-uh.

That is not okay.

I'll be right back.

okay.

I'm going inside.

Uh-huh.

Excuse me.

Who does this poor snowcreature belong to?

Me, I suppose,

but do snowmen ever truly "belong" to anyone?

Fair point.

But, in any case,

the one living on your lawn could use a little attention.

Why, what's wrong with him?

Well, for one thing, his head is about to roll off.

He's structurally unsound.

Dad, I told you, he's funny-looking.

Finally, a voice of reason.

Whose side are you on?

Hi. I like your hat.

Thanks. I like your hat, too.

Do you think it would be okay with your dad

if we made your snowman a new friend?

Are you part of some new neighborhood-watch program

or something?

Nope, just a concerned citizen.

Ah-hah.

Sorry. I'm erin,

and I was across the street with my friend

when I spotted your snowman crisis.

Oh, wow. That's not weird to admit at all,

but your honesty is certainly refreshing.

I'm kevin. This is my daughter, claire.

-Hi. -What do you think, kiddo?

Well...

There are a few cherries and a carrot left.

Perfect! Okay. First things first.

Come on. Let's pack some snow into a solid ball.

Come on, dad.

I'm gonna show you how to make the snowman the right way!

morning. Good weekend?

I thought I asked you

to pick out something manageable.

You should have told me you found our new tree.

I did what now?

I gotta hand it to you, erin.

It was truly an inspired idea,

sourcing a tree from our original town square.

It's beautiful.

It would've been nice if you'd consulted with me first.

I spoke to the gazette this morning.

They've already got a follow-up story in the works.

Our social-media page

is getting hundreds of positive comments,