Much of the holidays is centered on food. From snacks, to family feasts, cookies, and desserts, it’s a certainly a time of food-filled festivities. But we don’t stop there. We love food so much during the holidays that we decorate our homes with it. Need some ideas? We’ve got you covered with a few spirited tips!
Do you have any edible ornaments on your Christmas tree? They make a cute addition and the whole family can partake in the fun! Simply roll out some cookie dough and use your holiday cookie cutters to create different designs. Make sure to poke out a hole at the top of the dough to put some string through, and follow the baking directions on the package. Once they’re baked, decorate with icing and sprinkles and thread the string or ribbon through the hole!
For a simple, yet fun and effective holiday decoration try making a candy cane vase. Use a larger vase of your choice and line it with candy canes, keeping the candy canes in their wrapper. Take a smaller vase and put it inside the larger one. Grab some red carnations and put them in the center and you’re set!
How about a creative centerpiece? Try your hand at making a garlic knot Christmas tree centerpiece. Buy a Styrofoam cone, stick some toothpicks it in and press garlic knots onto the toothpicks. Some freshly grated parmesan cheese can simulate fresh snow and the garlic knot tree can be completed with a star on top made out of cheese. To make your creation extra festive, create a tree skirt with fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary, and serve with small dipping bowls of marinara sauce.
It’s always fun to decorate during the holidays, especially when you’re coming up with creative ways to make sure the halls are more decked than ever before. Food is a great option for unique ideas and there are number of options to try out. Whether you give one of these examples a go or try an idea of your own, stop by your local store for everything you need!
PC: How long does it take from seed for a tree to grow full-sized?
RH: It usually takes about 12-20 years from seed to grow a full-sized tree. When planting new trees we usually transplant trees that are already about 5 years old and 14 inches tall.
PC: When do you start cutting down trees for the Christmas season?
RH: I usually start cutting down trees the day after Halloween, however with the warmer weather this year we had to continually put off cutting down the trees. Every tree must go through 2-3 hard frosts or “killing frosts” before they’re ready for cutting and bring home. After 2-3 hard frosts the trees enter dormancy, when trees are cut in dormancy they last longer in household temperatures and hold onto their needles.
PC: How long did you have to wait to cut down trees this year as a result of the warmer temperatures?
RH: This year we started cutting trees down a few days before Thanksgiving, and I was able to start delivering them the day after Thanksgiving.
PC: How many new trees do you plant each year?
RH: About 3,000 new trees every year.
PC: What growing methods do you use for your Christmas trees?
RH: No chemicals, sprays or fertilizers are used. The farm is USDA GAP [Good Agricultural Procedures] Certified. GAP ensures safe, environmentally friendly growing practices, regardless of the crop. We voluntarily go through this audit to verify the produce and trees we grow are handled and stored in the safest way possible.
PC: What’s your favorite variety of tree to grow?
RH: Balsam fir. Balsam fir trees are indigenous to the area (since they are native to the area they grow fast than other varieties) and they hold up the longest once cut and put indoors. An added bonus to growing balsam fir trees is that the deer do not like to nibble on them unlike other varieties!
PC: What is your favorite part of growing Christmas Trees?
RH: My favorite part of growing Christmas trees takes place in the summer time. After a long day on the farm attending to the other crops [Richie also grows berries, corn, and other vegetables] is mowing in between the rows of trees. I go out after dinner when it’s still light out and everyone who works on the farm with me has gone home. Mowing in between the trees is very peaceful, quiet, and I have a beautiful view of the mountains.
PC: What are some tips you could offer for keeping a healthy tree during the holiday season?
RH: When you get your tree home, cut about an inch off the base. When the trees are first cut sap starts to bleed and forms a cement-like layer along the base of the tree preventing it from taking in any water.
PC: How often should you water your Christmas tree?
RH: You should check to make sure the base is full every one to two days. A tree can use up to a quart of water a day!
PC: How should trees be disposed of, once the holidays are over?
RH: I recommend checking to see if there are any local ordinances in place. Many towns recycle Christmas trees either into mulch to be used in gardens and parks or are used to make barriers to prevent soil erosion.
We would like to thank Richie Hourihan for being a partner with us and for taking the time to share his knowledge about harvesting trees. We love being able to provide locally grown products to our customers and that would not be possible without farmers like Richie.
From our family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas.