Every November to December, nearly 200,000 Christmas trees are shipped into New York City and sold on sidewalks, parks, and gas stations. It’s a seasonal economy that appears overnight, and behind it are a handful of families who’ve been running this business for generations. I spent the day talking to three of them who, between them, have over 100 years in the game and nearly 35 stands across the city. They’re part of the “Five Families of Christmas,” the crew that built and runs the city’s tree-selling network. They’ve got five weeks a year to make it work, battling the weather, the competition, and the everyday chaos of New York just to turn a profit. They call themselves The Merchants of Joy, and all three are featured in my friend Celia’s new film, which premiered today on @Prime Video . It’s a real look at the people who turn bare sidewalks into pockets of holiday spirit every winter. Don’t miss this one. #christmas #merchantsofjoy