Jingling in Georgetown

Georgetown kicked off the Holiday season, at the , in high style as Washington-area interior designers set up festively themed tree and vignette creations. All this in honor of the sixth-annual Georgetown Jingle which will take place on Dec. 11.

The family-friendly event, hosted each year by Four Seasons Hotel, JDS Designs, and The Washington Design Center, benefits Georgetown University Hospital’s pediatric oncology programs.

Each year, Washington’s top designers come together to support Georgetown Jingle and embellish the Four Seasons with twelve, themed Christmas trees and vignettes. These beautiful creations are currently on display and will be sold in advance for a fixed “Buy It Now” price or sold to the highest bidder during the Georgetown Jingle’s silent auction. Other items such as sporting-event tickets and vacation packages will also be part of the auction.

The stylists donate their time, talents and all materials for the displays. Each designer partners with a young Patient Ambassador for artistic inspiration. Themes for this year range from “Bling in the New Year” by Camille Beers Design Studio to “Far East Holiday” by J.D. Ireland Interior Architecture & Design.

Dee Thornton of Houseworks Interiors partnered with Patient Ambassador, Devan (age 5) to create “A Caribbean Christmas.” Between a tropical trip Thornton had just returned from where lush sea greens and blues where on her mind and Devan’s love of dolphins, the theme was a no-brainer. Thornton states, “I love that the Jingle is a local event and proceeds go to a local organization--it makes it very personal. It is fair to say, however, that the participating designers receive far more than they give.”

 “The Poetry Tree” was fashioned by Wendy Danziger of Danziger Design and her Patient Ambassador partner, Jefferson (age 9). “Choosing poetry as a concept for the tree was a natural. I associate the magic of poetry as something that delights children” states Danziger.

The Georgetown Jingle offers something for people of all ages. Kids can decorate holiday treats and do craft projects while older children can enjoy an Ice-themed “Tween Lounge.”

Local restaurants such as Bourbon Steak, Matchbox, Proof and , will indulge guests with gastronomic goodies and cocktails. 

The Georgetown Jingle benefits the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at . Between event funds, Duke University and the National Institutes of Health, the unit, will be finalized in 2012. The Georgetown Jingle will continue to support the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and, this year, will expand its support to include the development of a palliative care program, devoted to relieving pain and providing physical, psychological, and spiritual comfort to patients.

Ashley Klick, event manager and one of Georgetown Jingle’s co-founders, has been involved with the cause for the past 6 years. Klick states, “The Jingle is an opportunity for families in the midst of their cancer battle to take a break from the stress of the disease, enjoy the holidays, and feel the support of a generous and caring community of designers, businesses, students, and other families.  What a wonderful gift for everyone involved!”

Over the past five years, the Georgetown Jingle has raised $1.7 million for these pediatric programs.

The Georgetown Jingle will be held at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 pm. Tickets are $150 per person, $350 for families of four, $50 for kids 3-18, and free for children under 2. For more information about the event, visit www.georgetownjingle.com.