From the time that our children were just babies, we have established family traditions around the Christmas season so that they would understand and remember why we celebrate Christmas. When they were quite young, we had an advent flannel board which hung in their bedroom.
Every night, we would read the Christmas story and add a new figure to the board. As they got older, we studied a phrase or name in the Bible which stood for Jesus-Emmanuel, the Good Shepherd, Living Water, the Vine, the Door, Lion of Judah, Bright Morning Star, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace. Decorating a Christmas tree has become a favorite tradition. Every year, we head out to a tree farm to choose the perfect tree to become our symbol of everlasting life. A hand painted angel sits atop our tree with smaller angels below her, announcing the birth of Christ to the shepherds in the field. Lights fill its branches, filling our home with the light of His love.
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| Greenhouse where seedlings grow |
Almost every Vermont community has a local tree farm where families can go and select their own tree. This year, we decided to go to a local tree farm in the village of Chelsea, Redrock Farm. Rich and his wife Steph, specialize in bringing Christmas cheer to the local community as well as others throughout the US, as they ship their trees via FedEx. They start their own seedlings in a greenhouse where they nurture them through the winter months, preparing them to transplant to the fields every spring. Many of their seedlings are used for reforestation, wedding favors, or landscaping.
Rich also invites folks to “own your own tree”. They will plant a seedling for your family, put your name upon it and nurture it for you until time for you to bring it home as your Christmas tree. You have the joy of watching your tree grow, and they have the pleasure of tending to it for you. If you prefer to choose your tree in fair weather, Rich welcomes families to come to their farm beginning the end of September, to walk their fields and select your tree. He then hangs a tag on the tree with your name on it, and saves it until December when you may come and cut it down to take home.
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| Rich says this tree will be ready in about 10 years. |
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| We’ll take this one please. |
We enjoyed walking up the hill at Redrock, looking at all of the trees. There were small, newly planted trees, and tall beautiful trees. After seeing all he had to offer, we came upon the perfect tree. Our son, Luke, took on the job of cutting the tree while his sisters looked on, clicking cameras. Rich wrapped our tree in netting for the ride home. A stop at the local general store for hot chocolate warmed us up for the rest of the ride up the mountain to our farm.
I looking forward to working with Redrock Farm in the future. Rich and I talked about putting together a special package for December 2013, which would include an over night in our bed and breakfast, dinner at our farm, and a Christmas tree from Redrock Farm! I also thought about asking Rich if we could do a joint “Christmas in July” workshop this summer, where I would give a felted ornament class, and then we would go and tour his farm.
Vermonster
As Vermont Native, now Florida transplant we have been to Rich and Stephanie’s place many a time, picking out our Christmas tree.
Due to job situations, we haven’t been in a couple of years.
They are such wonderful people, loving and generous to a fault.
It’s wonderful that you will be doing business together.
Vermonster
As Vermont Native, now Florida transplant we have been to Rich and Stephanie’s place many a time, picking out our Christmas tree.
Due to job situations, we haven’t been in a couple of years.
They are such wonderful people, loving and generous to a fault.
It’s wonderful that you will be doing business together.