People at Gentry Pacific Design Center are already in the holiday spirit — and have more than two dozen festive faux Christmas trees to prove it.

The merchants at the Honolulu interior design center and local artists have decorated 26 7-foot-tall trees to be displayed to the public, then given away to local organizations.

"Basically we want to share our Christmas spirit with those families who are less fortunate than us," said Shelley Morisaki, property manager of Gentry Pacific Design Center. "Our whole concept is to decorate trees to donate to charities."

Those benefiting include Shriner's Hospital for Children, the National Kidney Foundation, St. Francis Hospice and various women's shelters.

Participating design merchants, sponsors and artists who have decorated Christmas trees include Indich Collection, Starbucks Coffee and Sandra Blazel.

Organizers said the event is meant to continue the spirit of the Festival of Trees, a benefit of The Queen's Medical Center that ended its 50-year run last year.

"Rather than allowing it to become a fond memory, we have decided to continue the Christmas tree tradition, but with a new and different look, and to host an event that will benefit all the people of Hawai'i," Morisaki said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.