Sometimes just selecting an AI file to import and not pressing Import would cause corel to crash for me.  Mine hates AI files.

What version are you running?
I bit the bullet and got 2025, though I still need my trusty X6 to cut vinyl with Cutting Master software for my Graphtec

I usually did okay, but did often have to have folks back-save to older versions of Illustrator. My newer CorelDRAW seem to open them just fine, but I do the opposite and save as pdf when creating in Corel and sending out.
My issue with that though has always been that it ungroups things I put together for a reason.

I know some people on here run Corel, and Corel for me has always struggled with AI files.  I learned a trick not too long ago that works very well.  Change the extension of the .ai file to .pdf and it'll import into corel with zero issues.  It's also lets you preview the file in the folder as well.

Some outdoor fun 

a long time ago we had an employee that made a "tree" out of the screen tape after it was removed from the screens.  he also used some popped mesh to wrap around the tape tree like garland...  when christmas time came it was about 5 feet tall...  there might have been more decorations, but it was 20 years ago and i dont remember every detail.