Old Fashioned Christmas Tradition: Cutting the Tree

The cottage from across the river, a couple of weeks ago.

Christmas is coming
the goose is getting fat.
Please to put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny, a half penny will do.
If you haven't got a half penny then God Bless You.

For the last 32 years, give or take a few, my husband and I have gathered our children and headed to the mountains after Thanksgiving. Its time to select our Christmas tree. This has long been one of our kid's favorite holiday traditions. Selecting and cutting your own tree right from the lot is quite an experience, and something that will build many happy memories for your family.

There are plenty of "choose and cut" tree lots along the way to the cottage, but also in the Boone area and towards Banner Elk, Grandfather Mountain, Jefferson and Todd. You will find White Pines, Frasier Furs and of course our favorite, the beautiful Blue Spruce which is exclusively grown for market in North Carolina, or so I've been told.

Big Bad Bill (otherwise known as Willie the Woodland Elf around these parts) has a Holiday Tree Cutting System (all professional woodland elves do!) which requires the following items:

1. A snow flurry day is preferable. Second choice is the sunny day.

2. All available children under the age of 99.

3. Warm jacket, hat, socks and gloves for everyone, plus a couple of extra sweaters, just in case.

4. Hand bow or tree saw (usually provided for by the tree growers).
5. An old blanket or sheet of plastic (available at the Dollar Tree store) to lie on while cutting the tree.

Many lots also have freshly cut trees near their office for those of you adventurous enough to head to the mountains for your tree, but not wanting to get down and dirty while selecting and cutting do it with your own little hands. They often have someone who can cut and carry the tree for you. Once the tree is cut, they will bind it and help you get it on the roof of your car.

Freshly made roping and wreaths are available, or you can carry the cut-offs from your own tree (there's usually quite a bit below where the tree was cut off), and make your own when you get back home. (Its easy! I'll have "how-to's" on my http://tarpapersubmarine.blogspot.com/ hopefully early next week.)

If you already have your own tree out of the box, assembled and decorated in the living room right beside the fireplace, good for you. Grab a coat and head for the mountains anyway, just to rev up your Christmas Spirit motor. Its great just to be up there this time of year, and there's always a chance of snow flurries between now and Christmas.

By the way, we still have Christmas Day available.

Merry Christmas!

Deber

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