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Christmas 2011 Newsletter
Happy Holidays!
We open this year on Friday, November 18, at 10am. From then we will be open every Friday – Sunday, and on Thanksgiving Day as well, from 10:00 am to 5:00pm. If you have been here before, you will notice that we are opening an hour later; however, if you want to come earlier, just call us at 828-297-4646, and let us know. You may also call us, if you would like to come during the week. If we know that you are coming, we will make sure we have one of Santa’s tree cutters here to help with your tree.
We are pleased to let everyone know that we have about 4000 beautiful Fraser Fir Christmas trees for you this season, ranging from 4 – 13 + ft. Also, in response to the current economical situation, we are again holding our prices of 5 years ago - and offering you some new discounts on Facebook and at The Appalachian Antique Mall on King Street in Boone across from The Mast Store. The Antique Mall has $5 off coupons for any tree over 6 feet.
If you haven’t been here in a while, this is a great year to come and visit us. We have added several new events to help make your visit here even more fun.
What’s New?
We strive each year to offer our customers something new, along with the activities, like our petting zoo, that everyone loves. This season we won’t have our cute alpacas, but we will have some cute goats to take their place, and the miniature donkeys. Also, this year for the first time, we are going to offer a free hayride on the weekends; something that many of you have suggested that you would like. The hayride will depend somewhat on the weather. Hopefully, we will have a little snow, which makes choosing a Christmas tree more fun, and not the ice we had last season. Check our Facebook page for weather reports on the weekends.
As noted, we have finally opened a business page on Facebook. If you have a Facebook page, then just search for FACEBOOK on your computer. After it appears, search for What Fir Tree Farm. We will be communicating with you throughout the season via our Facebook page, offering discounts and free gifts from time to time, and letting you know about special sales and events in our shop. In fact, when you check us out, if you become a friend or ‘like’ us, you will receive a coupon you can use at any time during the 2011 season.
We don’t have everything in place at this time, but our plan is to have a theme (other than our Christmas theme) of showcasing a few local artisans actually demonstrating their skills - and maybe even live Christmas music. We will be telling you about this on Facebook and on our web site as soon as we know. We will also be posting weather reports every weekend morning.
Other news is that we have a shop manager this year. Her name is Nancy Green, who has been working for us for several years. You may have seen her making wreaths in the back room. She will be taking your calls, answering your email, and making sure everything is perfect for your visit here. In case you need to get in touch with Nancy, you can reach her during the day at the farm phone 828-297-4646, or via the new What Fir! email address: whatfirtreefarm@gmail.com. Actually, all communication with any of us has a better chance of being seen quickly via our new email address or the farm phone.
Our Organic Fraser Firs– The Best Christmas Trees
The past two winters we have had record-breaking snow – about 7 - 9 ft. Snow carries nutrients, primarily Nitrogen. Additionally, we have been cultivating White Clover in the fields which also adds Nitrogen to the soil. This negated the need for artificial fertilizers. As a result of this natural fertilizer the fields were abloom with a carpet of flowers. We let the flowers grow as they attract beneficial insects which control harmful insects, so we have had no reason to spray pesticides either, leaving us (and you) with naturally healthy trees. Most of you, who have visited us in the past, know that we strive to grow natural, organic trees.
A Clean and Fresh Christmas Tree
A 7 ft Christmas tree has been growing in an open field for about 7 years. During that time, it is home to pollen, dust, and by November the remains of those insects we mentioned in the paragraph above. Rain tends to clean some, but not all, of this matter from the trees. Those who experience an allergic reaction to Christmas trees are, in fact, reacting to the natural allergens that have settled in the tree and not the tree itself.
There have been a few instances (one or two per season) of a cinera aphid hatching. These insects are harmless. In a very few cases, the insect eggs survive the freezing weather and, when taken into the warm environment of a home, they will hatch.
So what can be done about this? Simple. Before you take the tree inside, remove the netting and forcefully hit the butt on a hard surface several times until loose matter no longer is falling out. Then, using a strong stream nozzle on your garden hose, thoroughly rinse the tree from top to bottom and all the way around.
You can then begin your celebration of Christmas knowing your tree is not only as FRESH as can be, but as CLEAN as well.
Bring a Camera for the Petting Zoo, Hayride and Photo Contest
Once again, we will have our little petting zoo behind the shop. The hayride will be down at the old barn, weather permitting. Be sure to bring a camera and get your photo taken with the goats and donkeys, on our Santa sled, on the hayride or by the 400-500 year old oak tree at the top pond. Speaking of cameras reminds me that we will also have our photo contest again this year. Take a photo with you and your tree or a photo that includes kids and trees and enter it in the photo contest. The winner gets his/her photo on the cover of the NC Choose & Cut booklet for 2012, and a free tree in 2012. Five photos will be chosen and all will be awarded the free tree. Be sure to pick up a form.
News about our Christmas Shop
We will, as usual, have complimentary refreshments, and favors for children. Besides Facebook, be sure to visit our web site www.whatfirtreefarm.com, and to click on Gift Shop for information about what’s new in the gift shop. Click on Wreaths for information about our wreaths. If you want roping, a special size wreath, special decorations or a large quantity of wreaths, you will need to call first and give us an order – and some time to complete your order. That way you will be sure to get what you want on your visit here. If you call either 828-297-4646 during the day or 828-406-9186 in the evening, we will put your order aside with your name on it.
We look forward to seeing you, if you are a first timer or someone who has been coming for a while. We hope to personally greet each of you, and if you are someone who has been coming for years, let us know how many years you have been to see us. We would like to personally thank you for sharing part of your Christmas tradition with us.
All our best wishes to you for a happy holiday season.
Nathaniel and Kirby Maram and Nancy Green
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