Picking a Christmas tree together at the farm is a 15-year tradition for the Holton family of five.
MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — Now that we’ve made it past Thanksgiving, families are buying Christmas trees and decorating for the holiday across northeast Florida.
According to the American Christmas Tree Association, the cost of real trees is up by ten percent from 2022. Consumers can expect to spend between $80-100 this season.
Kathy Holton said picking a Christmas tree together at Songer’s Christmas Tree Farm in Middleburg is a 15-year tradition for the Holton family of five.
“It’s the memories of being together, being out in the beauty of creation,” Kathy said.
There are thousands of cedar, sand pine, and spruce pine trees to choose from on the farm.
Kathy’s husband Greg Holton said the selection process usually takes hours, but on Friday they found the perfect tree in minutes.
“It’s something that God made,” Kathy said. “Each tree is different, has its own beauty, its own scent, its own colors. It’s the mystery of what are we going to find this year?”
Each family member takes a turn sawing the tree and then it’s off to bale it.
Farm owner Michael Songer said this is usually the fun part for children.
“We call it ‘The Dancing Machine’, and the kids can dance and the trees can dance, which shakes the needles out of the inside, cleans it up a little bit,” Songer said. “Then we measure it and put them in a net.”
Songer said people are eager to get their trees up and start decorating.
“There was eight people waiting in the morning when I got here at 10 o’clock,” Songer said.
He said there’s a reason prices increased at some businesses this year.
“The trees that are brought in are higher because they had to pay freight getting them down here, and then after the season’s over, if they have trees left over, they have to dispose of them. Where we, if the tree doesn’t sell, it’ll grow another two-foot next year.”
The Holton’s plan to put their tree up before their oldest daughter goes back to college Saturday.
“Come cut a tree,” Kathy said. “Come enjoy the beauty of nature. Come be together as a family.”
Friday was Songer’s Christmas Tree Farm’s first day open this season. They plan to be open three weekends. They’re open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
