A Trip to the Christmas Tree Farm

Cutting down our Christmas Tree has always been a favorite holiday tradition of mine. But one year, about 6 years ago, it was so cold that the experience was ruined for me. I don't handle the cold weather well, and I can remember that particular day very clearly. Not only was it cold, but it was wet too.

The following year, we ended up at a big box home improvement store picking out a tree that had been cut down who know's when. We did this for a few years. It was convenient, but there was no sentiment in the act of buying our trees.

This year we agreed that we'd go back to the farm. After Hurricane Sandy, we've wanted to support local businesses. So many local merchants were hit hard by this storm. Supporting a local farm was a great decision to help out on a local level.

So, on a mild 50 degree day, we headed to Kauffman Farms in Howell, NJ. If you are looking for a tree, go to this farm. The family is wonderful, so sweet. You don't get that kind of customer service from the big box home stores.

This calf was 2 days old!

The Kauffman family cat, "Black". What a sweetie.

Obviously, we were more enthralled by the farm animals than we were by the trees. In fact, at one point, the Hubs had to yell across the field to ask us to approve a tree. We were too busy petting "Black". And in the end, I never did take pictures of the kids standing next to the trees we chose. Now they are standing in our house and are fully decorated. Big fail on my part, but who can resist those sweet faces on the animals?

Do you cut down a real tree or do you go with fake/lifelike trees? If you buy a real tree, do you support local farmers or go elsewhere for a tree?