City Invites Public to Craft Hearts to Decorate "Tree of Love"

For the fifth year, the City of Portsmouth NH has "left the lights on" the holiday tree in Market Square and is inviting the public to help decorate the "Tree of Love" for the upcoming Valentine’s Day/Presidents’ Day weekend, February 14-17, 2025.

From families to schoolchildren to seniors, the Portsmouth Recreation Department welcomes all who would like to participate. Use these free templates with heart designs or make your own. Once completed, drop your decoration at the Community Campus (100 Campus Drive), the Senior Activity Center (125 Cottage Street), or the Connie Bean Center (155 Parrott Avenue) by Monday, February 10. Recreation Department staff will laminate the hearts, add hanging strings and use the hearts to decorate the holiday tree. Hearts may also be mailed to the Portsmouth Recreation Department, 100 Campus Drive, Portsmouth NH 03801.

Assistant Recreation Department Director Brinn Sullivan commented, “This event is Portsmouth’s annual tribute to the love we have for our community! Let’s show ourselves, each other, and our community some love as we decorate the tree in Market Square with hearts!”

“Hearts and valentines may include a logo, positive words, names of loved ones, thank-you's, prayers, good vibes, or just seasonal decorations; but we ask that politics be left out of this project,” said Sullivan. “Be as creative as you’d like. Feel free to use our template or a different design altogether. Everyone is welcome to participate!”

The Recreation Department will decorate the tree between February 12 and 14 and then invites the public to visit Market Square on Valentine's Day Weekend to admire the tree and find their heart. Post a photo of yourself with your creation and tag #PortsmouthRecreationNH or #portsmouthtreeoflove.