‘Creepiest ever’ Christmas tree with talking face appears in shopping centre
An infamous 15-metre tall Christmas tree has made a return at a department store in Canada – and has horrified many.
Woody – a giant tree with a robotic face – can be found at the Mic Mac Mall in Darmouth, Nova Scotia.
Canadians seem to be split in the middle whether the display is creepy or cute, with talk show host Jimmy Fallon comparing it to the ‘Red Light, Green Light’ Younghee doll from Netflix’s hit series Squid Game.
The interactive holiday decoration has big lips which move when it speaks, and curly lashes that bat.
The Mic Mac Mall announced the return of Woody last week after a 15 year hiatus.
Tamitha Oakley, general manager, told CBC the return is ‘quite exhilarating’ and insisted that he did not retire because people thought he was ‘creepy’.
‘He has come back to his beloved Maritime fans and they have welcomed him with open arms,’ she said.
Visiting the talking tree was a popular annual tradition for many Nova Scotians for years before Woody fell into mechanical disrepair and was retired from use.
When developer Joe Ramia bought the mall in September, he vowed to bring Woody back to the masses, according to local media.
Oakley joked Woody has been ‘on an away mission’ the whole time.
‘He left 15 years ago and went to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves sustain the magical forest up in the North Pole.
‘Woody decided to come back because it’s been a really tough couple of years, and he wanted to bring some magical cheer back to the Maritimers and all of his fans.’
The tree doesn’t just spout pre-recorded messages, but actually interacts in real time with children who approach him.
After doing the rounds on social media, Woody made an appearance on late-night TV in America.
The Tonight Show shared a short clip of Woody saying ‘well I’m so glad you came by to see me’ and ‘well, I want to say happy holidays to ya’.
Mr Fallon, who looked a little bit creeped out, then said: ‘Well, now we know what the Christmas episode of Squid Game will look like.’
The return of the bizarre display has been met with both fear and happiness.
Ontario resident Bonnie said: ‘We lived in Dartmouth throughout Woody’s previous reign of terror.
‘I hated that thing, especially because I worked at the mall and was forced to confront it every day.
‘It also loudly broadcast conversations with Santa, saying cringeworthy stuff like: Merry Christermermis Santamaclaus!’
But some residents have welcomed the return, with locals on social media describing him as a ‘historical monument’ and a ‘Christmas treasure’.
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