The Festival of Trees returns Saturday to sell creatively decorated trees to the highest bidder. Yes, you can get an already-decorated, thematically-designed tree that you can just place in your house, ready for ooh-ing and aah-ing.

And you don't even need to move the tree; the organizers deliver it to you.

Different groups decorate a given tree, with 25 up for auction this year.

This annual Festival of Trees, which is organized by the Downtown New London Association and Neff Productions, raises funds for the New London Community Meal Center, to help feed needy families during the holiday season.

Also, via The Covenant Shelter, the DNLA donates trees to families who can't afford one.

The Festival of Trees showcases all the trees starting at 6 p.m. Saturday at The New London Elks, 81 Washington St., and ticketholders can sip beer and wine and sample hors d'oeuvres - and just maybe bid on something. Tickets are $12 and available at GreenLight Boutique in New London, Bijou Salon & Spa in Waterford or at the door.

- Kristina Dorsey