The beautiful reason why people are tying scarves around trees

The holiday season usually inspires generosity, no matter what you celebrate. But after the holidays are over, people are still in need of help, which is why we ADORE this trend of wrapping scarves around trees. If you’re taking a walk in the chilly winter weather and see a scarf wrapped around a tree, let your heart be filled with warmth. Because it’s most likely an act of charity that the scarf is there.

The idea is that if you live somewhere cold, you place a scarf around a tree — or around some other item outdoors, like a utility pole — so that a person who is homeless or in need can take it to keep warm.

This idea of scarves being placed in a public has been credited to the group Chase the Chill, The Original. Founded in 2008 in Pennsylvania by Susan Huxley, the group’s mission is to knit and crochet to build community and help others. Their website states:

"Chase the Chill is an annual graffiti/yarn bombing event that distributes scarves in public places so that those in need — regardless of income and without any qualifiers — can help themselves."

The group encourages other areas to form local chapters of Chase the Chill, like this one in Winnipeg, Canada.

Other groups also have organized similar acts of kindness — like Scarves in the Port City in Wilmington, North Carolina, as the Huffington Post noted.

Many of the organizations attach a message to the scarves (or hats, socks, or other snuggly items) so that people know they should take them. The Chase the Chill, New Hampshire group’s message reads:

“I’m not lost! Please take me if you need a little warmth in your day today!”

So whether you knit scarves or buy scarves, if you’re looking for a simple way to make someone’s holiday a little brighter or someone’s winter a little warmer, consider this idea. We know how warm and fuzzy we feel just looking at the photos from these generous groups.