Lucky that I left my credit cards at home on Saturday night. Otherwise, I would have been loaded down with holiday decorations from the Trees of Hope Gala. This is one black-tie auction evening that never fails to tempt in the most compelling way — with loads of delicious holiday decorations ranging from fully-trimmed trees to dazzling wreaths to themed package offerings.

More than once I've gone home with something big.

Three cheers for Trees of Hope which over the years, singularly through this dinner dance, has raised more than $6.7 million for Star of Hope. This year's proceeds are dedicated to the charity's children's program.

As has been tradition since the event's inception, Lynn Wyatt loaned her social cachet and personal dynamism to the effort by serving as honorary chair. She was joined in the spotlight by gala chairs Candace Dickerson and Jennifer Ducote, and underwriting co-chairs Leigh Smith and Kelli Weinzierl. Taking bows as honorees were Martha and Dennis McGuire.

While Skyrocket performed the dance music and Jackson & Co. provided a luscious wintry meal, the star attractions of this evening were the auction offerings beginning with the towering tree built from the shed antlers of South Texas white tail deer. Charlotte Rothwell donated this true Texan tree that was created by the Future Farmers of America and the 4H clubs of Frio County. She also supplied the gi-normous wreath made from pine cones. Both a ranch owner's holiday dream.

We swooned over the various offerings such as the Tiffany & Co. tree that included a bar set, heart tag bracelet, 80-inch fresh water pearl necklace and reversible tote. There was Edward Sanchez's 12 Days of Spa package, the playful Elaine Turnertree with lots of her goodies, the Lego wreath, the candy tree and on and on.

Perusing the auction offerings were Joan Stedman, Claudia and Roberto Contreras, Mary and Mark Rothwell, Julie Pincus, Amy and Percy Gentle, June and Virgil Waggoner, DeeDee and Wallis Marsh, Kathryn and Jeff Smith, Lisa and Michael Holthouse, Paula and Jeffrey Paine and Roseann Rogers and Dr. Aashish Shah.