What made the experience stand out?
My family buys a Christmas tree every year but this time was different because we went to a Christmas tree farm instead of a store parking lot. We’ve gone there before but this time, I wasn’t cold at all. The weather was much better, since it wasn't snowing; we didn’t have to wear mittens or hats. It’s also the earliest we’ve ever gotten a Christmas tree. Our family normally waits until after Thanksgiving but my parents took us earlier than usual to make up for last year. We were moving from our old house to our new house last December so we didn’t have a Christmas tree and I was kind of sad about that. This year, we’re celebrating Christmas all season long. I can tell you from experience that the house feels more cheerful with one than without one.
What was the best part?
I loved that we could run and run through the different areas where the trees grow. It felt like running in a forest but you could still move because there aren’t weeds or branches to trip over. We just ran and ran. Besides that, we picked up pinecones to keep for decoration. It was also fun to see the different kinds of trees and choose the very best one.
What was the worst part?
I’m not old enough to cut down a Christmas tree. My Dad said I couldn’t use the saw yet. I just wanted to see how it works but if it’s so sharp you can cut down a tree, I guess you could cut yourself if you’re a kid.
Will other kids like this experience and why?
Yes, they’ll enjoy going with their families because it’s more of an experience. It’s also good to have a place where you can get outside without making a mess and go do something active even though winter is coming up. There’s also a very nice lady who gives out hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies and candy canes. You can have those if it’s cold outside so you enjoy it more.
Did your siblings enjoy it?
Yes! I saw my brother, Isaac, having a good time. We found some “Charlie Brown”-style Christmas trees that he wanted to bring home to make them happier somehow. He’s 4 so he doesn’t get that trees don’t have emotions. I know he liked running on the property too. The other person who ran a lot is our baby, Gabriel. He just learned to run and likes to practice. Gabriel liked throwing pinecones too. The other cool thing you get to do is ride on a golf cart after you saw down your Christmas tree.
If you could do this again knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?
I would take my time finding the tree. It’s really more fun to look sometimes than to find what you’re looking for. I’d also like to go back in the summer and pick blackberries.
Does what you saw match up with anything you're learning in school or have seen before in a book, on TV, etc.?
I didn’t know there were so many different kinds of pine trees. I wonder what kinds of animals come to the Christmas tree farm at night when people aren’t there.
What do you think you'll remember most about your visit?
I think I’ll remember going because this fall has been the only year where we didn’t have to wear big coats to school in November. Last year at Thanksgiving, we asked Isaac what he was thankful for and he said “trees.” We thought it was a funny answer because he was 3 then and he says some random things sometimes but now I get what he means. Knowing that we have a Christmas tree in a warm house with people who care about us is something I wrote on this paper craft my Mom made us do to talk about what we’re grateful for; I’ll remember that.
[Editor’s note: Sorghum Mill Christmas Tree and Blackberry Farm’s last day of the season is Dec. 23. Read all our Kid Reviews at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Kid-Reviews/]
