Christmas Tree Hunt 2025

  Every year we head up to the same tree farm which is over the river and past the lake into the mountains. The very first year we were married we went to this farm in a huge wind storm at night. We had found their add in the newspaper because the first tree we had cut down (that we accidentally stole from the forest) had died too soon. The family allowed us to come even thought it was seven at night, and invited us in for hot chocolate after we cut down our tree and they bailed it in the whipping wind, and that was it. I remember vividly that this house held a grandma, parents, kids, cousins ~ it was full of family and I loved it so much. Every single year since we have gone to this farm. Lately it has gotten run down and the trees have grown to gigantic proportions and it takes a long time and much walking to find the right tree. This year was no exception and eventually we cut down the top half of a large tree. Year after year the grandma would bale our tree. She was a tiny woman with much grit and strength. I think she has gone on now and this is why the tree farm has not been kept up in the same way. 

On our way up each year we stop and buy donuts. This year it was not as happy of an experience since my six year old and I cannot eat gluten anymore, and there are no gluten free bakeries in our town. We got hot chocolate but it was not quite the same. 

Every year there are some tears during this excursion and this year was no exception. Through the years my sister has come with us, or my parents, or cousins, but in recent years it has just been our family. I was not sure if I could get all my children to come this year but I did. That felt like such a gift in and of itself. When tears were shed and tension was high it just didn't rattle my husband and I like it might have in previous years because we were all together. We just don't take it for granted anymore because time flies. We get it now. 

The sun was shining as well and in past years there has been snow, mud, extreme rain, or windstorms and to have a sunny day??! I mean what more could we ask for!

Also this year the newest family member ~ my grandson ~ was there for the first time and he loved every second of it. My two year old was also happy to be in the sunshine among the trees with her family. She had no clue WHAT was going on but she was there for it. 

I've said many times that our traditions are simple and few. This Christmas tree farm does not hand out hot chocolate or provide hay rides. They will give you a saw if you need one to cut down the tree, but other than that its just you and your family out in the tree fields (and these ones are more like forest fields now) finding your tree. It is bordering on epic now and we love it. 

I've included my annual photos below. I hope you can see the joy ~

xo

Tansy