Those suffering from a lack of creativity in decorating their Christmas tree this year should take a trip to the Medford Armory for a hefty dose of inspiration.

The 11th annual Providence Festival of Trees, featuring dozens of Christmas trees in a range of sizes and themes, opened Friday and continues through the weekend.

Pick any theme and there’s a tree to suit it. Festival spokesperson Karen Bartalini says she’s always amazed at how tree designers manage to come up with new ideas each year.

"They come up with these amazing designs and before the festival is over, they’re all pumped up with an idea for the next year," she said.

The festival will continue today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admittance is at 4 p.m. Admission is $2.50 general, $1 for children.

This year’s festival features 40 large trees, several mini and tabletop sizes, and an assortment of wreaths and stockings.

A popular tree with children this year, honored with the Children’s Choice Bronze Award, is "Magical Memories," which residents of Waterford at Three Fountains adorned in miniature antique furniture and dishes, elegant ribbons and photo ornaments of themselves "in the old days."

Some trees sport special lighting and mechanized features — one is even equipped to pump snow — while others feature Victorian dolls, Mardi Gras beads and masks, and even an assortment of Clifford the Big Red Dog accessories.

Had there been an award for most edible, a tabletop tree called "Candyland" would have taken the cake. The powdered sugar-covered tree is decked out with a candy necklace, giant lollipops and a gingerbread house beneath.

A more practical tree, "Cooking Up Memories at Christmas," is covered with elegant ribbons and enough Pampered Chef merchandise such as spatulas, cookie cutters and gadgets to make a lifetime of Christmas dinners.

Some trees feature hero themes. Civilian soldiers at the Medford Armory decorated a tabletop tree titled "Oregon Army National Guard: The Spirit of the Guard." A full-sized, patriotic tree called "Our Heroes Through the Eyes of a Child" is a dedication by Providence Cancer Center and Home Health Hospice to firemen and other heroes. The large scene is adorned with Dalmatians, fire hydrants and fire chief hats.

One tree with a touching tale is "Dot’s Tree."

Designer Lora Vaccher said her inspiration for the rose and dove-themed tree came from a special friend who always enjoyed the annual festival.

"This tree is dedicated to a woman I helped take care of that passed away last year. These are all the things she loved," said Vaccher, gesturing toward tiny crystal elephants.

"She believed that elephants with their trunks pointed up were good luck. She was a romantic, so there are roses. The doves are because she was a Christian, and there are ornaments with notes from her family members."

Proceeds from the festival admission and an auction of the trees and other merchandise will go toward a state-of-the-art central monitoring system at Providence BirthPlace to monitor laboring mothers and babies around the clock.

Randy Jones, vice president of the Home Builders Association of Jackson County, which built and donated the "Castle of Dreams" playhouse, said this year’s cause was especially important because it would help children.

"It’s a pleasure to give to a cause that we believe in so strongly, but this year’s cause is a little extra special for me because my grandchild was born at Providence Birth Center last weekend. This is all for such a wonderful cause."

Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at dob522@mindspring.com.