Jerry Butler finds all kinds of inspiration for her Christmas trees. One year it was Mervyn’s 40th anniversary and the store had a collection of Santa Clauses from different eras, beginning with the 1940s.

This year, a friend told her to skip her choir practice and go to the Community Projects’ annual holiday sale.

“I found a box of hand-painted angels,” she said. “Actually, I found everything there, even the tinsel and lights. I’m even using the box as a base.”

The Caldwell-Banker Realtor also found a children’s book called “The Angels’ Song of Glory,” to complete her “angel tree.”

It will be one of 22 that are raffled off this year as part of the Napa Valley Symphony League’s annual Festival of Trees Fashion Show and Luncheon, which takes place Dec. 5 at the Meritage Resort.

It’s one of their two big annual fundraisers for the symphony, which is 75 years old this year. The other is the Home and Garden tour, which this year attracted more than 700 visitors.

Mary Anne Wilson created another of the trees that will be in the raffle. Hers is decorated with ribbons, roses and tea pots, cups and sauces dipped in glitter.

 “It’s for a little girl,” said Wilson, who ordered the old-fashioned tinned tea sets from England. “My house is covered with glitter now,” she added.

In addition to viewing and bidding on the decorated three-foot tall trees and wreaths created by local designers and artists, the event includes a lunch and fashion show presented by Helen Lyall.

“If you have never seen one of her fashion shows, it’s like being in New York,” Butler said.

Lyall, who worked in the New York City fashion industry for seven years, is celebrating her 33rd  anniversary as the owner of Helen Lyall, Clothes for Women in Vallejo. She shops the European and New York markets to bring fashion trends to clients at her boutique, one of the largest high fashion stores in Northern California offering special occasion and evening wear. She specializes in personal service and offers wardrobe coordination by appointment.

According to Festival designers, her show includes “an extravagant range of high fashion from sportswear to evening glamour, including several European fashion lines. Helen’s shows are dynamic, sophisticated and unusual productions.” 

This year the League is also offering a drawing for a Helen Lyall shopping spree, valued at $2,000. Tickets for the drawing are $25 each, or five for $100, and can be purchased by calling 226-8742. One does not need to be present to win this prize.

Fashions for men will be provided by Williamson & Company located in downtown Napa. Hair and make-up created by David Magna Workshop, Napa.

Tickets for the luncheon and show are $85 and seating is limited.

The Napa Valley Symphony League

17th Annual Festival of Trees

Fashion Show and Luncheon

Saturday, Dec. 5

10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Meritage Resort, Napa

Tickets, $85

Reservations: 226-8742