MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Each year we try to do things a bit better and add something new. Some of you use Facebook (better than we do!) to keep up with what's new, so this year we adopted a mascot to use on our Facebook page. We try to remember to include him when taking photos of things going on around the farm through the year. After asking Facebook readers to suggest a name, we decided on "Teddy Tremont", and to keep him from feeling neglected (are we the only ones who have trouble finding time to update Facebook?), we're featuring him as the "secret word". Just say "Tremont" to your cashier to receive a free bunch of mixed greens or a Merry Christmas button.

A new bit of greenery we're offering this year is a mailbox topper--like a wreath for your mailbox--and mini swags. You will also see our new display tent where many of our cut greens and other greenery items will be displayed in a more protected area.

A new activity for children will be a Wreath Decorating Contest for Kids. The wreaths will be displayed in the tent for patrons to vote on the best wreaths in two age groups. Voting will be done with dollars, with proceeds going to Hatfield American Legion Post #933 to help them bring Christmas to a local family in need. Nov. 27-28 10am-4pm kids ages 5-14 may unleash their creativity as they decorate their own 18" evergreen wreath, selecting a bow and ornaments to design a one-of-a-kind decoration. Entry fee is $20.00 per child. Our staff will help the children attach the decorations that they choose. Wreaths will be on display through December 5 with winners announced and awards presented Monday, December 7. Harleysville Savings Bank will award the two first prizes with other prizes offered by Corner Sweets, Yofresh, and Hague's Christmas Trees.

Ever get hungry while selecting your tree? On November 28, and December 5 and 12, the "Weenie Wagon" will be here with Hatfield Quality hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches as well as burgers, chips, coffee, soda, cookies, and s'mores kits. Enjoy!

Amid the excitement of new things, we find that the celebration of Christmas never "gets old". We praise God for His many blessings over the years, and pray that you find new blessings as you celebrate Christmas 2015, always remembering that "Jesus is the reason for the season."

In the past you have heard us talk about our Nordmann fir trees. This year we will not only have Nordmann fir in the choose-and-cut field but will also have a limited quantity on the cut tree lot for your selection. If you don't know what this tree looks like...think of Fraser fir with slightly longer, glossier needles.

You may cut your own Nordmann fir in our choose-and-cut field for $67. Its strong, stiff branches and dark green needles with excellent retention make it very desirable as a Christmas tree. We will have a selection of wreaths made of Nordmann fir as well.

Each year we ask you to fill out an entry for a chance to win a free tree or wreath for the next year. This year our winners of a free tree are Shannon O'Connell of Horsham and Daniela Walsh of Harleysville. Kevin Kopp and Jennifer O'Rourke, both of Hatfield will receive a free wreath. At other events Kelly Loomis of Hatfield won a free tree.

This year there will be two contribution containers on our counter for you to use--one for the Hatfield Volunteer Fire Company who will also be here with their fire truck Wednesday evening Dec. 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm when we donate a portion of our sales to them. Support these local volunteers while shopping for your tree, wreath, and other goodies!

The other good cause is Trees for Troops, administered by the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, a charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association. 2015 is the 11th year Christmas tree growers across the country are donating trees to be given to military families throughout the US and overseas. We again will donate 16 trees. We encourage you to make a cash contribution, or buy a tree at 15% discount Nov. 27-Dec. 5 to send to the troops. We deliver the trees to the FedEx drop-off location for you. Find out more at www.christmasspiritfoundation.org.

We hope you enjoy your visit to our farm each year. On November 27 and 28, and December 5 and 12 you may sit around our bonfire to warm up and enjoy the ambiance. We will have free marshmallows and toasting sticks available as well as s'mores kits for sale.

As members of the PA Christmas Tree Growers Association and the National Christmas Tree Association, we enjoy getting to meet and talk with owners of larger tree farms, some of whom sell as many trees in a day as we sell all season. There are the mass merchandisers, too, who sell thousands of trees. We are the mom-and-pop business, the little guy, and we try not to take customers for granted. We greatly appreciate your purchasing your tree, wreaths and greenery from us. As the "little guy" we have to try harder, and we make every effort to serve you well, from cutting our trees as late in the season as possible to making our wreaths fresh and providing a variety of sizes with a wide selection of bows and ornaments. We drill all trees to display them individually for easy selection. We shake the tree to clean it of old needles and debris, give it a fresh cut to take up water and bale the tree for easy handling. Did you ever notice that you walk on grass when you select your tree? That is significant since grass is a cooler surface than asphalt or concrete, keeping the trees fresher while on display. Under your feet on our lot is an extensive drain field to keep it from getting muddy when we have a lot of rain. When we have hot, sunny weather while trees are in storage we cover them with shade cloth to keep them cool and fresh. Our cut greens are stored in the shade before being made into wreaths and other greenery items, and those items are displayed in protected areas before you buy them.

We look forward to having you come again this year and hope that you enjoy your visit as you make memories in this joyous season.