What NOT to do when Cutting your own Christmas Tree

I have fond memories of cutting down a Christmas tree every year as a child.

We would spend what seemed like hours searching for the perfect tree.

When we finally narrowed it down, my mom would take the obligatory picture (poor moms never get in the picture) of our family posed in front of the tree. Then we would watch my dad struggle with the flimsy tree farm handsaw before dragging the often much-too-big tree to the stand to be netted like a Christmas fish and strung up to the top of our car.

We would laugh and argue over every tree, but ultimately it was such a fun trip.

How could you not duplicate such an easy family outing?

At least that’s what I told Good Papa when I demanded he take W and I to the tree farm to chop down our own tree.

Let’s just say, this tree cutting adventure was not how I remembered. 

Read what NOT to do when cutting your own Christmas tree and learn from our rookie mistakes.

What NOT to do when Cutting your own Christmas Tree

  1. Decide to go chop down a tree the morning after an office Christmas party: Next year, the tradition for the morning after the office Christmas party is to sit around and do absolutely nothing for the entire day. Okay, maybe we can do something. I’m thinking a Christmas movie marathon is in order for next year.
  2. Decide to go during snack time and only bring 1 tiny snack: Am I crazy? What was I thinking just heading out to the middle of nowhere tree farm land with only a cheese stick to rely on. I think I’m going to blame my complete lapse of judgement on that office Christmas party.   What NOT to do when cutting your own christmas tree
  3. Pull up a list of Christmas tree farms and tell your husband to pick the closest one right before you leave: Apparently Christmas tree farms are not created equal. There were seriously NO good trees left at the farm Good Papa deemed “closest” to our house. I’m sad to say that we ended up going with one of the pre-cut trees. I was really looking forward to witnessing Good Papa attempt to saw the tree down. Thankfully, I did sneak a few pictures of Good Papa walking around with the handsaw. Pictures are more important than reality. Am I right?  What NOT to do when cutting your own Christmas tree
  4. Research the rest of the Christmas tree farms on the list after you get home: Sleigh rides! Hot cocoa! Christmas crafts! Why did I not research this list before we decided on the “closest” tree farm? Hmm… I wonder if it being the day after the office Christmas party had anything to do with it. I think I’m sensing a theme here.
  5. Dress like you’re going for a stroll in the park as opposed to a tree farm: W was in sneakers and lasted about a minute with his mittens on. I brought one glove for myself. Yes, one glove. I couldn’t find the other glove last minute, so I thought one was better than none. Good Papa didn’t even wear a coat. Clearly Eagles’ fans don’t get cold. What NOT to do when cutting your own christmas tree
  6. Carry your heavy toddler around while following your husband through the tree farm: A carrier would have been a smart thing to bring. Even a wagon or a stroller would have been nice. Or, maybe I could have just put W’s boots on him so he had an easier time following Daddy around. Well, at least we got a good workout passing him back and forth.

Despite making all of the wrong decisions on our first family tree to the tree farm, we still managed to have a great time. Honestly, creating fun memories together is the most important thing to remember when cutting your own Christmas tree. Although, I did learn a few tips on what to do for next year.

Plan ahead: Pick Your Own Christmas Trees is an amazing site that lists Christmas tree farms, lots, hayrides, sleigh rides and other winter fun by the state. I look forward to researching the best tree farm in the area. I will also plan a day when we aren’t so “sleepy.”

Be prepared: Proper winter clothes, nice yard work gloves for Good Papa to cut down the tree, and plenty of snacks will be on my list of items to bring next year.

Have fun: Hopefully we can repeat the one thing we got right this year next year.

What NOT to do when cutting your own Christmas Tree

Do you cut your own Christmas tree? Please share some tips with me in the comment section below. I need them. 

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