The smell of a real Christmas tree in the house is just one of the many reasons why we love getting a real tree every festive season. The main reason, however, is the experience of venturing out to a local Christmas tree farm and picking out the one we want to ‘give a home to’. And, of course, decorating it!
Though many have commented that it is far too early to be putting up the tree (ours was up and decorated on Sunday, November 24), we usually have our tree up by the end of November anyway and, with busy weekends between now and Christmas Day, this was the only bit of time we could find to do it.
And, unfortunately for us, it seemed to be the one weekend that Storm Bert was available to pay the Farm a visit, too.
Knowing the weekend was going to be full of rain and windy weather, we ventured out to Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm on Saturday, about an hour before the venue was set to close. It was grey, drizzly and a little windy (but nowhere near as bad as the Sunday forecast predicted it would be).
When we arrived, the Farm was quieter than it usually is at its peak (and drier) times, but there were a fair few families exploring the fields of trees – even a dog enjoying the fun. We parked up and wandered around the fields, spotting many a tree that had been decorated (these are the trees that have been pre-purchased, reserved and are yet to be picked up, or delivered).
Trees of all shapes and sizes, some with quirky names, fill the space. If you find one you like here, you can call upon one of the nearby workers to chop it down before your very eyes. If not, there are plenty of pre-cut trees for you to peruse at the front of the farm.
Here boasts something for everyone – everything from small trees in pots, to very tall trees, and the more lavish ‘premium trees’ – the big bushy kind. This was our first port of call.
A popular choice for many a family, there were only a few trees left for that day in this section, so we soon found one we liked – a Nordmann Fir priced at £70. Taking it over to the wooden hut where you pay, you can also peruse a selection of handmade wreaths, wooden reindeer sculptures, tree stands, and other decorations. This is truly when our Christmas begins.
Festive twinkle lights made everything look all the more Christmassy and, once paid (a very swift process thanks to reliable card machines), the friendly staff netted our tree for us, and even carried it back to our car. The service here is always amazing – come rain or shine.
We drove home with our tree secured, popped it in its stand in the living room and let it dry, before dressing it up with the decorations we’ve accumulated over the years. We’ve been getting our trees from Frenchay Christmas Tree Farm for decades, and it’s a tradition we always look forward to every winter.
This year the farm, which is located on Old Gloucester Road in Frenchay, is open between 9am-5pm every day – and you can even browse the online store and collect or have your tree delivered to you, meaning it’s even easier to enjoy the tree decorating tradition (especially when faced with stormy weather).
What’s more, the Farm offers a tree collection service – it can be picked up from your house in January, or you can even drop your tree back at the Farm. All trees are mulched in the new year, which is spread across the Farm’s fields, meaning your Christmas tree will go straight back into the earth.
So, while £70 may be steep to some when it comes to a Christmas tree, it fills our run up to Christmas with lots of magic, a wonderful smell, we support a local business, and recycle our tree back to its roots come January.
Thank you Frenchay Farm! It wouldn’t be Christmas in our house without you.