Decorating for Christmas family-friendly style.

A video featuring the Christmas decorations in my living room, and our beautiful Christmas tree! For Gisela Graham Decorations: stores.ebay.com

When we talk about the history of Christmas trees, there are really several issues to address.  First, there is the association of the evergreen tree with Christianity.  When and where did this begin?  Next, how did the evergreen tree come to be associated with the Christian holiday of Christmas?  And last, how did this association manifest itself into our modern day tradition of a decorated tree at the holiday season?  We will examine each of these questions one by one.

Evergreen trees and Christianity:

There is some debate about when and how the evergreen tree first became associated with Christianity.  Some historians tell us that a monk named Boniface happened upon a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree in the woods (and possibly also performing animal and human sacrifices there).  Boniface was angered by this, and he cut the oak tree down.  As the legend goes, an evergreen tree sprang up where the oak had been.  Boniface and the pagans believed this to be a sign of Christianity, and thus, the association of the evergreen tree with Christianity first begin.  There is also some debate about where exactly this happened.  Some historians claim it happened in Riga, Latvia.  However, some others argue that this occurred in Germany, which might make more sense given that Boniface was a German monk.

Evergreen trees and Christmas:

Some other historians claim that the monk Boniface actually used the evergreen tree as a teaching tool to preach Christian beliefs to pagan populations.  He took the triangular shape of the tree as a symbol of the Christian trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  According to this legend, sometime around the 12th century A.D., Christian people brought evergreen trees indoors at Christmastime and hung them upside down from their ceilings as a symbol of the Christian faith.

Others claim that the earliest recorded reference to evergreen trees being used at Christmas celebrations was documented by 16th century German craft guilds.  One such reference tells of a fir tree that was decorated and displayed in the guild’s main shop, and that the guildmen’s children were allowed to take the small gifts that decorated the tree for the holiday.  Still other references suggest that perhaps the guild apprentices were charged with carrying the decorated evergreen through the streets in celebration.

Martin Luther is another individual credited with the early association between the evergreen tree and Christmas.  As the story goes, Luther was out for a walk one winter evening, admiring the beauty of the twinkling stars in the clear night sky.  He was thus inspired to cut down an evergreen tree, bring it indoors, and attempt to re-create the starlight effect by decorating the tree with candles.

Transition to the Modern Day Christmas Tree:

Traditionally, Germans decorated their Christmas trees with fruits, nuts, small gifts, and other trinkets.  Glass ornaments also got their start in the famous glassblowing shops of Germany.  For this reason, our modern day tradition of decorated Christmas trees is usually traced back to a German heritage.

There was a period of time when Christmas trees were shunned by conservative Christians as idolatry.  In Puritan America, Christmas trees were not welcome in Christmas celebrations.  In England, decorated trees and Christmas carols were banned completely.  Fortunately, these days didn’t last for too long.  In the mid-1800′s, Queen Victoria of England and her royal family were photographed in front of their decorated family Christmas tree and the picture appeared in the London News.  From then on, decorated Christmas trees became widely popular in England and the United States.

The tradition of decorating evergreen trees at Christmastime has certainly evolved from the early historical accounts, but one thing remains the same.  A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is still an inspiring sight enjoyed by all that puts us in the holiday spirit each year.

Visiting a Christmas tree farm and buying a live tree grown in New Jersey can be a memorable holiday experience for the entire family? The process can be any where from an hour to a good part of the day, depending on what you and your family wants to gain from the experience.
The choices for selecting a New Jersey grown live tree are many. You can choose to cut your own tree, or pick a live tree and have it cut for you, or buy a live tree already cut, or buy a living tree you can plant.
To extend the experience to a family fun event, you can venture off to a Christmas tree farm that offers sleigh rides, hay rides and related winter events and fun.
A fresh-cut Christmas tree not only will bring warmth, beauty and the rich scents of the season to your home, but also will last throughout the holidays if given proper care.
Christmas trees are a renewable resource. They are grown as a crop; planted, sheared, and cultivated to be harvested for your enjoyment! Where each tree is cut, a new seedling will be planted. Christmas tree farms not only provide beautiful greenbelts throughout New Jersey, they also are environmentally sound. They consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide and reintroduce large quantities of oxygen into the atmosphere, thus cleansing the air that we breathe. One acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people.
The selection of a live Christmas tree.
When choosing a tree, select one that best suits your needs. Determine where will it be located in the home, and what type of ornaments you have – are they heavy or light? These considerations will help you select the species, the height, shape and density. Amongst the variety of species of Christmas trees grown in New Jersey, the best choices for needle retention are all the pines; Austrian, Scotch, White and Mexican Border. The Douglas-fir, Concolor, and Fraser Fir are also excellent. The Colorado Blue Spruce is very good, and the Norway and White Spruces are fair.
It is difficult to gauge the height of trees in the field. Check with the Christmas tree farm, they usually have measuring sticks available. Even though you cannot cut your tree exactly even with the ground and you will need to cut an additional bit off the bottom of your tree when you get home, your stand will add about four inches and your top piece another four inches to the final height of your tree. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a tree that is somewhat shorter than the height of your ceiling.
The Care of the live Christmas tree
With a few simple steps, you can enjoy your tree throughout the holiday season!
A fresh cut tree, brought home in advance of bringing it indoors for decorating, should be placed in a container of water, in a cool shaded area, sheltered from the wind. If kept outside, make sure the water supply does not freeze. Before bringing it indoors, cut off an inch from the butt end. This fresh cut will enable the tree to soak up water. Put the tree in a stand, which can hold one to two gallons of water. Since fresh cut trees absorb a pint to a quart of water each day, check water level at least once daily and always keep water level above the cut end. Always keep the butt of the tree in water. If it has been out of water for more than a few hours, the sap will seal the cut trunk and it will no longer absorb water. Keeping a tree stand filled with water will prevent needle drop and prolong the tree’s freshness and color.
Select a location inside your home that is not too close to a fireplace, heat duct or radiator. Place tree in tree stand with plastic netting on. This makes it easier to move and straighten tree. Netting can be removed once the tree is set up.
The tree will take a couple of hours to return to its natural shape once the netting is removed. Fill the stand with water. On the initial fill, warm or hot water is beneficial.
The care and planting of a balled & burlapped tree.
If you have selected a balled & burlapped (dug) Christmas tree, several days prior to being brought indoors, it needs to be placed in an unheated, protected enclosure (utility building, garage, carport, basement) or on the northeast side of the house. This conditioning process adjusts the tree to the effects of rapid temperature and humidity changes that occur indoors. Before bringing the tree indoors, place it in a washtub or similar waterproof container. To help stabilize it, sand or gravel may be filled in around the root ball. Keep root ball moist; approximately a pint to a quart of water, daily, will sustain a 5 to 6 ft. tree. Ideally, it’s best to keep a dug tree in a 65 to 68 degree indoor environment and for no longer than seven days.
After tree is dismantled, do not bring it directly outdoors. If possible, gradually introduce it to the colder temperature by first placing it in a sheltered area, for several days. The hole, where the tree is to be planted, should be dug to an approximate depth of 18 inches, prior to the ground freezing and the soil from within placed where it cannot freeze. Fill the hole with leaves and cover it with plastic. Do not remove the burlap and strapping, before planting. After tree has been positioned (top of root ball should be even with original soil grade), fill hole halfway – with saved soil, cut strapping, roll down burlap and complete filling hole. A plastic covered root ball is handled in the same manner, except that before planting, slits should be cut in the plastic’s bottom half – this facilitates water drainage and root penetration. Water thoroughly and mulch.
Disposal and recycling your Christmas tree.
The disposal and recycling of Christmas trees can be coordinated with your local Municipal Government, who usually offer recycling programs. The trees are chipped into mulch and made available free of charge to homeowners. These trees may also be placed in your yard, where birds can make use of them either as a winter shelter or as a feeding station, if food is hung from the branches.
A Christmas tree is biodegradable, it’s branches may be removed and used as mulch in the garden. For proper Christmas tree disposal, check with your local municipality.
Listing of New Jersey Christmas tree farms
Provided below is a listing of popular Christmas tree farms in New Jersey. While this listing is reasonably up to date as of this writing, last minute weather and business conditions at a tree farm may change and it is strongly recommended that you call the farm in advance to confirm their supply, their hours of operation, and whether they are continuing to allow choose-and-cut or just precut trees. Do not drive out there if you can’t reach them by phone!
Augusta
Holiday Tree Farm, Augusta
973-948-7488… 44 Augusta Hill Rd…Route 80 West to Exit 34B. Rte. 15 North to intersection with Rte. 206 at Ross’ Corner/Skyland Park. Straight on Rte. 206N to first left onto Augusta Hill Road. Farm is ½ mi. on left.
Species…2,500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir
Belvidere
Wyckoff’s Tree Farm, Belvidere
908-475-4508…249 County Route 519…I-80, exit 12 to Rte 521S to 519S (10 miles from Rte 80), I-78, exit 17 to Rte 31N to Rte 46W to Rte 519S (mile marker 39).Species…600 trees; Douglas-fir
Open…8:30-4 (daily), Nov. 24 – To be determined
Blairstown
Glenview Farm, Blairstown
908-362-6904…2 Glenview Lane…I-80 Exit 12 N. – Rte. 521 – 4 mi. to Blairstown, left on Rte. 94 – 1 mi. to Mohican Rd.; From Newton – Rte. 94 S. 12 mi. to Mohican Rd. 4 mi. – rt. on Gaisler Rd. – farm 1 mi.
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir Open…9-5 (daily), Nov. 24 – Dec. 17
Jolly Holly Christmas Tree Farm, Blairstown
908-362-6327… 56 Maple Lane…Exit 12 on Rte. 80 W to Blairstown. At traffic light, take Millbrook Rd up hill to Maple Lane. Left on Maple Lane. Farm is on left.
Species…200 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…12-4 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 17
Califon
Alger Tree Farm, Califon
908-832-2298… 7 Beacon Light Rd…From Rte. 78 exit 24 (Oldwick) 7 mi. N or Rte. 517. Turn left on Beacon Light Rd. to first house on left.
Species…400 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir
Open…8:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Dec. 2 – 24
Chesterfield (near Bordentown)
Spruce Goose Christmas Tree Farm, Chesterfield
609-298-2498…194 Bordentown-Georgetown Rd.(Rte. 545 S)…NJ Tpk. Exit 7 or I-295N Exit 57A, take Rte. 206 N. or Rte. 130 N towards Bordentown, 1st right onto Rte. 545 S. Proceed 4 mi. Farm on right. Or from intersection of Rtes. 537 & 545, take Rte. 545 N 3.5 mi. Farm on left. From McGuire AFB, take Rte. 680 W.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir, Serbian Spruce, all Fraser Fir are pre-cut.
Open…9-5 (daily), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24
Cranbury
Barclay’s Tree Farm
35 Orchardside Drive, Cranbury, NJ 08512
609-799-1855; Hours: Weekends 9am-5pm, Nov 27 – Dec 19
Directions: NJTpke Exit 8A, Rt 32 W to Rt 130, So on Rt 130 for 1.5 mi to light at Dey Rd. Right on Dey Rd. 1.5 mi to 1st right – Orchardside Dr. From Rt 1 , East on Scudders Mill Rd 2 mi to left at 5th light onto Dey Rd. 2.3 mi to left onto Orchardside Dr.
Choose & Harvest: Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce
Features: One low price. Saws, netting, rope and assistance provided free.
Simonson Farms
Dey Road and George Davison Road, Cranbury, 609-799-0140
Hours: M-F 12-7, Sat & Sun 9-6.
Directions: From NJ Tpk to Exit 8A. Bear right out of the tolls toward Rte. 535. At traffic light, turn left onto Rte. 535 S. Follow to third traffic light, and turn right onto Rte. 614 ( Dey Rd.) west. Straight on 614W 1.9 mi. to U-cut field or 3 miles to retail lot.
Species: 3,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
They currently have harvestable Douglas-fir, blue spruce, Norway spruce, white pine, Concolor fir, and Canaan fir. We have two farms where you can cut your own tree. One is located on George Davison road in Cranbury and the other on Dey Road in Cranbury. Trees in these fields are U-cut… that means you have the pleasure of cutting down your own tree. Saws are available if needed. They supply twine and trees can be wrapped for ease of transport.
Cream Ridge
Bullock Farms, Cream Ridge
609-758-8726… 83 Emleys Hill Rd…From I-195, Exit 16, take Rte. 537 W past Great Adventure. Make 2nd right onto Emleys Hill Rd. Approx. 1 ½ mi., farm on right.
Species…250 trees; Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir
Open…9-5 (Wed – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23
East Brunswick
Giamarese Farms, East Brunswick
732-821-9494… 155 Fresh Pond Rd…From the New Brunswick Area – take Rte. 1 S to 2nd Milltown exit, which will be Main St. Exit will loop over Rte. 1. Once on Main St., Milltown, count 3 traffic lights from Rte. 1. Make right onto Khulthau Ave, which is 3rd light. Go ¼ mi to split in road. Bear rt. onto Fresh Pond Rd. Go about 2 mi. Farm on right on top of hill at #155. Large sign in front.
Species…300 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-5:00 (Tue – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 24 (closed Mondays
Farmingdale
Meadowview Farm, Farmingdale
732-938-7181… 60 Birdsall Rd…½ mi. south of Farmingdale on Rte. 524. Left on Birdsall Road. First farm on left.
Species…200 trees; Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir
Open…9-4:00 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
Flemington
Cherryville Farms
14 Joe Ent Road , Flemington, NJ 08822 , 908-806-4580
Hours: Open 9:00 AM until dark, Saturdays & Sundays – starting Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Directions: Located one mile east of Quakertown on Route 616 ( Quakertown Road) Franklin Township, Hunterdon County.
Species: Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce & Norway Spruce
Features: Tagging, saws & treewheelers available. Wreaths, Crafts & Refreshments Cut your own, or they’ll cut it for you. —–Tagging, saws & treewheelers available Wreaths, Crafts & Refreshments.
Hillsdale
Demarest Farms
244 Werimus Road , Hillsdale 201-666-0472
Christmas trees, wreaths, all Christmas related items, featuring Santa’s Enchanted Woods as featured on Good Day New York
Lebanon
The Evergreen Farm, Lebanon
908-236-9550… 4 Bass Lane…Rte. 78 W to Exit 20A ( Lebanon). Turn right at first light onto Rte. 22 W. Turn left (jughandle) at first light ( Round Valley). Go 3.3 mi. on Rte. 629 to Bass Lane OR Rte. 31 N from Flemington to Molasses Hill Rd. Take to end. Turn right onto Rte. 629 to Bass Lane.
Species…500 trees; Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir
Open…10-5 (Fri, Sat, Sun), Nov. 18 – Dec. 17. Closed Thanksgiving, but open for tagging by appt. Nov 1
Manalapan
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan Twp.
732-786-9277… 114 Daum Rd. Manalapan…Garden State Pkwy Exit 123, Rte. 9 S. to Gordon Corner Rd. exit. Right on Tennent (5.4 mi.) to Daum Rd. NJ Tpk Exit 8, Rte. 33 E (7.9 mi.) left on Woodward Rd. (.4 mi.). First left onto Daum Rd.
Species…3,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir. Open…9-8 (daily), Nov. 20 – Dec. 23
Robbinsville
McLaughlin Tree Farm, Robbinsville
609-259-8122… 1312 Old York Road…Located on Rte. 539, 2.1 mi. north of Route I-195 (Exit 8). Across from Herbert Road. 3.5 mi north of Allentown and 4 mi. south of Hightstown. Easily accessible from Rtes. 195, 130 & NJ Turnpike via Exit 8.
Species…1,000 trees; Douglas-fir, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine
Open…8-5 (Sat & Sun & by appt.) Nov. 25 – Dec. 24
Rosemont
Rosemont Tree Farm, Rosemont
609-397-1809…Route 519…From Flemington – Rte. 12 W to Rte. 523 right onto Rte. 604 to Rte. 519. Turn right onto Rte. 519. Farm 300 yards. From Trenton – Rte. 29N thru Lambertville and Stockton. Right onto Rte. 519 1.5 mi. to farm.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, White Pine, Canaan Fir, Scotch Pine Open…9-4:30 (Thu – Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23
Sussex
Shale Hills Farm
98 Pond School Road, Sussex , 973-875-4231
Directions: At intersection of Rtes. 23 or 94 N.-take Rte. 23 N. – 1 1/2 mi. to Double S Diner on left – turn behind Diner on Pond School Rd. – 1.2 mi. to farm – sign.
Species: 700 trees; Blue Spruce, Norway Spruce, Scotch Pine, Douglas-fir
Hours: Open Weekends after Thanksgiving from 9:30 am until dark.
Trenton
Willard Christmas Tree Farms, Trenton
609-587-1776… 300 Basin Rd…Rte. 1 to Bakers Basin Rd. (.5 mi. South of I-295 overpass), 1 mi. to Basin Rd. on right. Farm 1 mi. on left.
Species…1,000 trees; Blue Spruce, Douglas-fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir
Open…12-5 (Mon – Fri), 8-6 (Sat & Sun) Nov. 24 – Dec. 23 Enjoy a Hay wagon ride as you select your tree from our fields and cut it down yourself. We have available pre-cut trees that have been freshly cut from our fields. Christmas Trees we have available are Scotch Pine, White Pine, Douglas Fir, Norway, Colorado Blue and White Spruce. Also available are fresh dug balled and burlapped trees from our fields. You can enjoy indoors during the Holiday season and then plant outdoors to enjoy for a lifetime. All farms carry roping, wreaths and greens for all your Holiday Decorating needs.
Whitehouse Station
Holly Bough Plantation, Whitehouse Station
908-534-2622… 88 Cole Rd…I-78 or Rte. 22 to Rte. 523, two miles south to Rte. 620 (Dreahook Rd.), ¼ mi. to Holland Brook Rd. – Turn right, continue 1.5 mi. to split in road, turn right onto Cole Rd.
Species…200 trees; Blue Spruce, Canaan Fir, Black Hills Spruce
Open…9:30-5 (Sat & Sun), Nov. 24 – Dec. 23.
Wrightstown
Edwards Christmas Tree Farm, Wrightstown
609-758-7729… 338 Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd…From Mt. Holly, take Rte. 537 E. to right at light at Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd. Farm is one mile on right. From Freehold, take Rte. 537 W. to left at light at Jacobstown-Cookstown Rd. Farm is one mile on right. Species…200 trees; White Pine, Douglas-fir, Scotch Pine
Open…9-4:30 (daily), Dec. 1 – Dec. 24

As the holiday season draws near, you’re sure to be busy making your list and checking it twice.  Between balancing your budget with your children’s wish lists, battling the shopping malls for the best bargains, planning family gatherings, decking the halls, preparing holiday meals, gift wrapping, and more, it’s easy to see how Christmas can come and go without the time to slow down, take a breath, and enjoy the holiday season with your family.  

If you’re looking for ways to stop and smell the gingerbread this year while creating some precious memories that can last a lifetime, here are a few simple and fun holiday activities that will ensure your entire family has a holly jolly Christmas!

“Remember that Carol” is a simple game that both kids and adults will enjoy as they go from person to person each taking turns announcing a Christmas carol that they remember and singing a verse from it.  A great game to entertain your children at home or to pass time on the road while traveling for the holidays, it will have your family making beautiful music together in no time! 

Christmas Charades is fun for the whole family!  Just have everyone write out 2 or 3 common holiday-themed items, characters, or decorations, etc. on small pieces of paper.  Fold them all up and place them in a bowl, and then take turns drawing out one at a time and acting them out for all to guess.

Holiday bedtime stories.  Dedicate 5 minutes each night throughout the month of December to read your child a bedtime Christmas story book.  Let your little ones take turns picking out which book you will read each night.  You can let your children choose one or two new Christmas books each year to add to their collection. 

Christmas Gift Hunt.  If you like to open a gift early on Christmas Eve, or hunt for presents on Christmas day, you can create a memorable fun way for your children to receive their gifts by making a simple Christmas holiday hunt.  You’ll need to prepare ahead and hide a trail of simple holiday clues that when solved will lead your child from one clue to the next until they ultimately reach and uncover where their “treasured” Christmas gift has been stashed away.  If you don’t have time to make your own clues, inexpensive pre-made print ‘n’ play Christmas hunts are available online for both children and adults at Treasure-Adventure.com.  Simply download, print, and play instantly! 

Deck the halls!  Make holiday decorating a group effort.  Take time to work with your children to make a few simple personalized holiday projects that can be displayed in your home or be given as memorable and unique gifts to friends and family such as painting ceramic angels or holiday candles, making ornaments or homemade candy canes, coloring and cutting out Christmas designs and applying them to windows, stockings, sleds, and other traditional holiday decor, or making a wreath together with everyone contributing.  There is an endless array of Christmas craft kits you might take advantage of or just grab your construction paper, glue, scissors, glitter, garland, and crayons, and make your own holiday decorations. Your kids will love this family craft time and beam with pride as they get to show off their special creations to holiday visitors.

Finally, make Christmas eve all about family time.  Turn off the TV and video games, turn on the Christmas tree lights, and play an old-fashioned family game or just come together as a family to talk and enjoy each other’s company. 

It takes only a little time and creativity to bring your loved ones together around a few special holiday activities and make your own Christmas traditions and lasting family memories of the joyous holiday season together.