This is one of those experiences I think is certainly a rite of passage to becoming an official New Englander. One experience I have always loved. Walking the farm and waiting to see what tree speaks to you. Which one will you be decorating and cozied up around the fire during Christmas morning? Oftentimes you are drudging through snow in the bitter cold with a thermos of hot cocoa in hand to keep you warm. You notice your eyelashes begin to freeze and your face feels tight from the cold bitter air. But the invigorating smell of fresh pine and a crackling fire nearby begins to fill your nostrils and you forget that you’ve lost all sense of feeling in your fingers. It really is a thrill.
This time of year really is my favorite, it just can’t be beat in my mind. The decorations, the music, the experiences, the weather… all of it. I LOVE it all. If anyone knows me really well, they know one of my requirements before moving into any new space is if there is a perfect dedicated spot for a Christmas tree. If not, that house is not for me. I’m pretty hard-core like that (LOL). In all seriousness, what really stands out for me this time of year is how palpable the energy is. You can feel the excitement in the air.
At present, I am reminiscing of our visit to The Old Christmas Farm Place of Maine from two years back. We’ll be going back here again in a matter of a few days. This time we will be able to bring my husbands family from Colorado with us, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with them! I think his five year old nephew will really light up! I highly recommend when you do go to a tree farm, to try to time it out so you are able to catch the sunset on the farm like we were able to here. If not, it’s really beautiful any time of day.
There’s always a rotation of fields on tree farms by maturity of tree. The older trees get cut down and replanted the following year and are left alone for several years in order to keep the cycle going. Also, who doesn’t love the sight of baby Christmas trees off in the distance? It makes me happy to think one day they too will be apart of some family’s memories, maybe even yours?!
Last but not least, you get back to the lot to await for your tree to be processed through a simple netting mechanism. This step helps to compact your tree and make it easier for transporting on top of your vehicle. You don’t have to do this step, some people wrap theirs in a blanket or others simply just plop the tree right on top of their cars. Growing up I remember having to hold the strings down inside the car to tighten the hold of the tree to the roof of our car for extra security because we were worried the tree would fly off. I don’t think we were too concerned back then to secure it as well as people do nowadays (queue National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation).
Most tree farms in New England also have homemade ornaments, wreaths and all kinds of other goodies to purchase as well! Really the experience is much more than just simply cutting down a tree. You create lasting memories and get to experience the true Christmas nostalgia here in New England. If you happen to live in Southern Maine, or are visiting during the month of December, please visit The Old Farm Christmas Place of Maine in Cape Elizabeth…you will not be disappointed!
For now, I am counting down the days until I get to do this all over again.
Happy Holidays!
Kindly,
Kate
