Christmas in Connecticut | Ultimate Tree Guide -

Craving old-fashioned customs this holiday season? That’s why we have Christmas in Connecticut. Tradition reigns despite what’s being messaged to us, like over spending on returnable gifts or decorating with enough lights to cause a power outage. Part of the charms of the holidays include the pageantry behind the tree. And it doesn’t get any more authentic than chopping down your own. Luckily, visiting tree farms are Connecticut’s version of New York City’s holiday window displays. It’s what we are known for.

Living in Darien has the perk that it’s a little bit metropolitan and a little bit New England. You can head east for your urban fix in the city. Drive less than 40 minutes north and you’ll find oxen grazing on a home’s front lawn. The pastoral connection is so accessible, for a Christmas tree outing you can make your child’s morning hockey game, drive 20 minutes to hail timber, and decorate your tree before dinner.

Our recommendation is to plan the day around the outing for a memory making event. Dress the family in matching buffalo check, bring the dog, and pack enough provisions for a winter tailgate.

Maple Row Farm

At Easton’s Maple Row Farm, the experience is immersive. You’ll drive into a sea of cars with its own tailgate section. Scents abound with roasted hot dogs and s’mores, open fires, and holiday pine. The engagement is an easy distraction from jostling for a parking space if you visit over the weekend.

Once you enter the farm, secure your tag options to find your tree. There’s a tractor that takes you out into the field. Or find enough healthy options in walking distance. Home Depot trees these are not. The farm contains over 250 acres of Christmas trees with 100,000 species in varying stages. Says J. Scott Edwards, general manager of Maple Row Farm, Fairfield County’s somewhat coastal climate positions the Douglas Fir as the best growing and most popular tree. “This variety is the dominant variety in the Pacific Northwest, a significant Christmas tree growing region,” he says. Other popular options are the Blue Spruce, other firs, and a few spruces.

Visitors can expect a charmed chaos with everything from bonfires to happily wagging dogs. “It’s a celebration where friends and families come to meet for the experience,” says Edwards. He shares that the secret to avoiding the jostle and jingle is to visit on a weekday. “The farm is a beautiful, peaceful place and on a weekday. You may share it with only a few other visitors,” he says.

Come prepared

Chopping your own tress is a “do it yourself” activity. Wearing proper clothing and enlisting a family member who has a strong back is recommended. The actual cutting is straightforward while the tree handling is a group job.

Maintenance

Tree care is similar to nurturing a bouquet of flowers. Create a fresh cut before placing it in water and then continuous watering is all that’s needed. Our town offers tree recycling after the holidays, which is typically recycled into landscape mulch.

Whether you have longstanding Christmas tree expedition memories or are looking to make a new one, the only real downside to cutting your own tree is watching it fall once cut. It’s a rigorous activity that brings the family together outdoors. Decorating the tree engenders a similar reaction to cooking an involved meal, the food tastes better after the effort put into it. Your tree will look so customized in your home, it will be slightly woeful when it’s time to take it down.

For more information on Maple Row Farm, please visit mrfarm.com.

Sidebar:

Christmas in Connecticut Venues

Local venues that offer a Christmas tree outing experience

Darien

The Gardener’s Center: gardenerscenter.com

Nielsen’s Florist: nielsensflorist.com

Easton

Sabia Tree Farm: www.sabiatreefarm.com

Silverman’s: www.silvermansfarm.com

Fairfield

Ganim’s Garden Center & Florist: ganimsgardencenter.com