Well, it is almost that time! Time for trees and trimmings of reds and greens. Time for mistletoe and ribbons of gold! It is almost Christmas time!
When it comes to Christmas, we all decorate in our own fashion. Whether it be traditional, modern, vintage, country, or a mix of our own personal tastes. With this comes our choice of a Christmas tree.
As a child, I always had a fake Christmas tree. So, when I entered adulthood and had to do things my way, I opted for the same tradition that I had been accustomed to, until I got married. My husband had always had a real tree and that was the tradition that we started when we started dating 14 years ago. A tradition we kept until about four or five years ago. Now, we are an artificial pre-lit family but, we may go back to the ‘real thing’ this year because our pre-lit, is no longer ‘lit.’
So, for those who do the real tree thing or who want to try one out this year, below is a roundup of Christmas tree farms in the Chattanooga area. But before you just hop in the car and go to one of these farms, there are some things you need to keep in mind:
First, you need to call ahead. You will want to do this to confirm their supply and the type of trees they have. Also, ask if their trees are pre-cut or if you can cut them yourself. Some people prefer to cut their own trees and others prefer to have them cut already. Also by calling, you can get their hours for that day to ensure they are open in case of hour changes. Another reason to call is to see what kind of activities, if any, they have at the farm that day. Some farms will do hay rides, sleigh rides, hot cocoa, etc.
Another thing to do before you go is check and see what supplies you need to bring, if any. Items you may need are a saw, blanket, or rope. Also see if they do ‘shaking.’ This will help with any critters and drop any dead needles. Those things get pesky the longer your tree is in your home. Some farms may even provide ‘baling’ for you for transportation for free or for a small fee.
If you can’t reach the farm by phone, email, or their website, then DO NOT go. Farms will shut down when their supply is gone, especially since there has been in an extreme drought for quite some time.
Finally, before you head out, don’t forget to pack some extra clothes, a blanket, some snacks or light meal, drinks, and most importantly, your camera!
Below are the Christmas tree farms in our area, categorized by counties: