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WILKES-BARRE — For most people, Christmastime means going out and getting yourself a tree to decorate your home or apartment.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you might splurge on a tree for outside, as well.
David Rinker is not most people.
Alongside his best friend, Tim Eckhart, Rinker has decorated their Provincial Towers apartment with 31 Christmas trees, both inside and outside.
Walking into the apartment is like walking into a holiday paradise. Right from the front door, all the way throughout the apartment, there are trees left and right. They are all artificial, by the way, and they can be found from the entryway to the balcony to the bathroom.
Some are big, some are small, and each one has a special meaning, such as the one given to Rinker by his late brother, who passed away two years ago.
Then there are those that have come as gifts from other residents.
“All of the trees that have been given to us, we’ve grown close with the neighbors … some have passed away, but some we’ve grown close with,” Rinker said.
“We’ve been living here for six or seven years, and a lot of tenants have started giving us trees that they don’t want,” he added.
The apartment has become a popular destination for the residents of Provincial Towers to stop by and check out the display.
“The neighbors in the building love coming around and seeing it, it’s a big thing for them,” Rinker said.
Rinker, starts building his display on Nov. 1, after spending the preceding week taking down all of the non-Chrismas decorations around the apartment.
“I get the place empty and I start bringing everything up and getting everything situated,” Rinker said.
He plans to continue adding to his collection of trees on a yearly basis, making his apartment the ultimate Christmas tribute.
Why? Well, that’s simple.
“I’ve loved Christmas since I was a little kid,” Rinker said. “I mean, look at this place.”