HOLIDAYS TRADITIONS | CHRISTMAS OUTINGS
visit a
tree farm
If your inner Clark Griswold is alive and well, a trip to the local tree farm
may be right up your alley. There’s nothing quite like cutting down your own
tree and bringing it home to your living room. You can pick your own tree and
fill your home with a fresh pine scent.
So find a tree farm near you to support local, sustainable business practices.
You won’t be disappointed.
Planning a trip to your local tree farm, many of which feature fun activities
for children and families.
What to bring
Check in with your local tree farm to see if saws are provided. They usually
are and for a small fee, the tree farm professionals will cut your tree down for
you. If you are allowed to cut it down yourself, this can be a great way to start
a fun tradition with those in your family old enough to safely handle a saw.
Other things to bring include:
• Ties & Ropes: Don’t forget that you’re not just cutting down your tree,
you have to get it home too! Bring the proper tie-down materials to safely trans-
port it.
• Plastic Wrap or Blanket: Trees can scratch your car or truck, so sure to
bring some plastic wrap or a blanket to serve as a protective layer between it and
the tree.
• Snacks & Drinks: Many tree farms feature bouncy houses, hayrides,
sleigh rides, Santa visits, petting zoos and other fun activities for the kids. They
may or may not have concessions available so it’s always smart to pack some
as Plan B.
• Old Clothes: Cutting down your own tree isn’t exactly clean and tidy.
Dress in old clothes and hiking boots if you want to be comfortable without the
worry of ruining your outfit with sap and dirt.
• Cash: If you’re enlisting the help of a staff member to cut down and carry
the tree to your vehicle, it’s good practice to give them a cash tip. This is diffi-
cult work after all. You’ll also need cash for refreshments and any gift shops that
may be on the premises.
Christmas lighting
There are lighting options for every decorat-
ing purpose, including various sizes, colors and
applications. Finding the right lighting for you
depends on how and where you plan to use it.
As with decorations, the perfect time to score
low-priced lighting is immediately following the
Christmas season. That’s when retailers big and
small look to clear out their holiday inventory,
offering products at deep discounts.
Check in with your locally owned hardware
stores first to support the business owners.
Indoor Lighting
Soft, subtle lighting is the way to go for dec-
orating your interior, while you can get away
28 • HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2016 • WWW.DAILYASTORIAN.COM
with brighter options outside.
Look around at your overall design scheme
and decide if colored or white lights would look
best. Lighting is available in traditional wattage
or more efficient LED styles.
Don’t just light your tree. Your mantle, win-
dow frames and staircase banister all can use a
little brightening up in the spirit of the holidays.
Outdoor Lighting
Sometimes outdoor decorations aren’t
enough. You have to accentuate them with the
proper lighting to really make them stand out.
Solar lighting is both versatile and portable, and
it can light up your stand-up display for all hours
of the night.