DECEMBER 2011 Life Outside
A Walk Through Christmas Trees By Doug Humphreys
The older I get the more I appreciate authenticity and thoughtfulness. It’s during this time of the year that I appreci- ate these things most. In my home, we believe in
the magic of Christmas. Stock- ings are hung with care from the mantel, Christmas cookies are baked, not bought, a pine wreath wearing an oversized red ribbon is hung from the front door and, most impor- tantly, a Doug-fir is meticu- lously decorated. It is the tra- ditions of Christmas that make the holidays thoughtful, and authentic. The Christmas tree is my fa-
vorite part of the holiday sea- son. Since I can remember most of my Christmas trees have been cut by me, or my dad, or one of my brothers. Part of cutting a Christmas tree is taking a walk outside, which I always enjoy. But a walk in search of a Christ- mas tree, beneath the gray De- cember sky surrounded by flur- ries that wiggle and dance like fireflies in June—this is a walk special beyond measure. Every year I wander hill and
dale with family in tow to find that one special tree. At first glance every tree looks the same, your tree no different from the rest. In fact, you can pass your tree several times before it calls to you and you realize that it is in fact the tree that was planted and grown for you and your family. Though you’ve never before seen the tree, once the realization oc- curs the connection is immedi- ate and no other tree will do. You realize that it was this tree that was grown by nature and nurtured by God just for you; just for the magic of Christmas. Then one lucky person gets
the honor and privilege of lying on the frozen December ground and using a toothy bow saw to sever the stem from stump and fell the tree, the act that turns
it from spruce or fir or pine to an infinitely more meaningful and magical Christmas tree. Cutting a Christmas tree
is not sad or un-green or thoughtless modern consump- tion. Rather it is a celebration of tradition, a valuable use of a renewable resource and a worthwhile way to support a fragile economy. Plus, it’s just plain fun. And the colder the December air and the deeper the Christmas snows the more fun it becomes. There is always a plywood hut selling hot cider and cocoa that warms the chest and fingers – but I rarely need it. The rosy cheeks, red noses and smiles even toothier than the bow saw on the faces of my kids warm my body from the inside out. This year my children will
inherit the responsibility of choosing and cutting the fam- ily Christmas tree. My little girl will be given the charge of finding the tree. If choosing your own tree is special, then decorating a tree chosen by a 4-year-old angel is extraordi- nary. My 6-year-old son will be
given the bow saw and all the time needed to fell the tree. He will attack the tree with enthu- siasm at first then realize it’s not as easy as it looks when dad does it. He’ll get frustrated, want to quit, be encouraged to finish, and will work the saw until beads of sweat trickle down his brow from under his stocking cap. Then when the tree cracks and moans and fi- nally lies on the ground, he’ll stand and smile glowing with pride. I know this because I did this, a long time ago. Then both kids will tug on
the wagon until we arrive back at the car, singing Christmas carols led by mom all the way. Then mom and kids will warm up with cider and cocoa, and I’ll join them though I’m warm
already. I wouldn’t presume to tell
anyone how to celebrate Christ- mas. Christmas tradition is a private matter, and not some- thing to be judged. I would suggest that if you’ve never cut your own tree, it’s something that should be tried at least once. And I’ll bet you a dozen peanut butter blossoms that if you do it this year, you’ll do it again next year. If you’d like to give a walk
through Christmas trees a try, you can cut your own tree here in Jefferson County at Ridgefield Farm and Orchard or at Town and Country Nurs- ery. Just across the river in Maryland there Hope Farms and Good Spirits Tree Farm in Hagerstown, and E&E Trees in Walkersville. Check out http://
pickyourownchristmastree.org for even more options. Whatever you choose, I hope
you find a way to spend just a little time outside this Christ- mas season. I wish you an au- thentic Christmas. I wish you a meaningful Christmas, and most of all, I wish you a Merry Christmas.
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