Saturday, December 17, 2011

Christmas is Ruined.

Does anyone remember Tillie the Talking Christmas Tree?

She was an animatronic tree that used to be on display at Breton Village Mall during the holiday season. (I found a couple mentions via google that say she was at Eastbrook Mall, and one that says North Kent Mall, but I swear it was Breton Village along with the amazing Polar Express display they used to have-- but I could be wrong!).

Anyhow, as far as I'm concerned, she was the epitome of kitschy Christmas and I had this overwhelming need to see her. I made the trek out to Breton Village, but I'm afraid Tillie (and the Express) is no longer.

I can't express how crushingly devastated this discovery was. I like to imagine her leading a songs on the Island of Misfit Toys.

Merry Christmas Tillie.


9 comments :

  1. Yes, Tillie the Talking Christmas Tree was a fixture at Eastbrook Mall when I was a kid (35 years ago). I live in New Mexico now and I got to thinking of her earlier this evening while watching a Christmas show with my kids and found your post - guess we tend to get a bit nostalgic for our childhood.

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  2. I'm so glad I'm not the only one reminiscing! We've confirmed it was Eastbrook Mall (now Centerpointe) not Breton. I found this blog post by a woman who used to BE Tillie. I didn't even realize there was a person inside! I thought it was all mechanical. Tells you how many years it's been and how fuzzy my memory is! http://garlandhouse.blogspot.com/2008/11/tillie-talking-christmas-tree.html

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  3. Whoa. Dude. I was just posting to my FB wall asking about this exact thing. I live in California now, but grew up in GR. I'm now 40. I had forgotten it was named "Tillie". I recollect distinctly encountering her at Eastbrook Mall. Maybe it moved around or there were more than one? I have a hard time recalling the specific look besides the fact that it had a creepy grin. lol. Thanks for the memories :)

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  4. I love that people from all over the country remember Tillie! I'm 28, so I think it's safe to assume Tillie was around for at least a decade. Which means she very well could have appeared at multiple malls.

    Mentioning Tillie has sparked so many holiday reminisces the last few weeks that I think I'm motivated to see if i can find out more of her history!

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  5. Hello there! I was one of the people inside Tillie! So glad to read your article. Thanks for sending people to my blog! Many fond memories inside Tillie. Blessings!

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    1. Hi Kim, I am working on a project in which we are trying to resurrect Tillie and a few other past faves like the Herp's train and talking Rudolph. Do you have any pictures? I tried to find your blog. It was not accessible. (see www.facebook.com/holidaymemoriesofdowntowngrandrapidsMI)

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  6. Kim, thanks so much for commenting— I feel like people out there really want to know what happened to Tillie! I'd love there to be a feature on her for holiday 2012. If I can pull anything together I'll be in touch!

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    1. If you have ever found anything, do share at www.facebook.com/holidaymemoriesofdowntowngrandrapidsMI

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    2. Hey Teresa: I always meant to go back and research this more, but i never did. When i originally posted the blog i searched and searched for images and didn't find anything. But i think there's a women in Rockford, working at Bodacious boutique, that used to also be Tillie!! I'd be so pumped of someone resurrected this!

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