It might have been more than a week before Thanksgiving and six weeks before Christmas, but the mood was decidedly holiday at the Hilton Americas-Houston, where Trees of Hope celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Not only was the auction area brimming with lavishly-decorted wreaths, trees and other holiday decorations but the spirit of giving resounded throughout the evening as proceeds topped $700,000.

No holiday star shone brighter than benefit honoree Lynn Wyatt, who has supported Trees of Hope since its inception as either chair or honorary chair and has aided Star of Hope for many decades. Her heartfelt speech emphasized her commitment to the non-profit that aids the city's homeless. (Trees of Hope was created two decades ago to raise funds for the charity.)

Taking bows as chairs of the black-tie gala were DeeDee Marsh and Kelli Weinzierl and accepting praise for their work as underwriting chais were Candace Dickerson and Shannon Smith.

The auction of holiday decorations makes this one special evening with creative trees such as the Louis Vuitton entry topped with the lighted LV logo and decorated in signature vintage travel tags and an Eiffel Tower created out of Louis Vuitton boxes. That beauty went home with Jenny and David Moore.

Other amazing auction offerings were the tree covered in precious Radko Ornaments and spectacular ribbons from Blue Leaf in the Village and the "Partridge in a Pear Tree" from Saks Fifth Avenue. Handbag designerElaine Turnerdecorated her tree with 15 of her signature handbags.

Helping make this evening a huge success were Wallis Marsh, John Weinzierl, Mary and Mark Rothwell, Jaci and Jim Smith Jr., Sherry and Jim Smith, Barbara and Steve Retzloff, Paula and Jeff Paine, Kirby and Scott McCool, Leigh Smith, Hollis and Joe Bullard and Ellie and Michael Francisco.