Hello Bend! As we move into the first weekend of December, the countdown to Christmas has officially begun. For many of us, this is the weekend to deck the halls and dress the tree! Before the ornaments can be hung on the Christmas Tree with care, our family will kick off this festive season with the first of many holiday family traditions — finding the perfect Christmas tree!
Trees Fresh From The Vegetable Man
One of the many benefits to living in the Pacific Northwest is the availability and affordability of lush, beautiful fresh-cut trees at the many lots around Central Oregon. Our favorite local business to support when it comes time to select our Christmas tree each year is The Vegetable Man. A family-owned business, The Vegetable Man was founded in 1983 and has been bringing the residents of Bend fresh produce sourced from small farms in Oregon, Washington and California.
In 2012, The Vegetable Man began selling Christmas Trees and they’ve taken the same approach to the tree business that they’ve always brought to the produce business – Giving their customers the freshest trees at great prices! They source their trees primarily from the Willamette Valley (Stayton area) here in Oregon. The Vegetable Man operates three locations around Bend so you don’t have to drive far to find your perfect Christmas Tree. They are now selling such a large quantity of Christmas trees they can guarantee that the tree you select is fresh cut and will last the entire season in your home…unless you forget to water it!
As an added bonus, The Vegetable Man offers a $5-10 off coupon in the local Smart Shopper coupon book. If you’ve been a resident of Bend for any length of time, you should be receiving this book of savings from local businesses in your mailbox on a quarterly basis. If not, be sure to fill out an online request to get your copy of their upcoming winter edition.
You-Cut Trees
If you are looking for a more authentic, Griswold-style Christmas tree hunting experience, you are in luck! Living on the edge of the Deschutes National Forest has big benefits! Every year many families make amazing holiday memories by venturing into the forest to scout and cut down their Christmas tree. This is a fun and amazing opportunity, however, it does require a permit. The cost is $5 per permit/tree, and each household is allowed a maximum of five trees. Permits can be purchased through the National Forest Service and are only available online for the 2020 Christmas season. Be sure to do a little research before you go. There are so many good Christmas tree hunting tips online and things you should know before you go.
Whether you go the traditional route and support one of our local Christmas tree stands or you go the more adventurous route and venture into the forest with your saw and tailgating supplies, one thing is certain — you will not be disappointed. I am originally from Texas and also spent five years living in Florida where artificial trees are preferred and overpriced scrawny trees fill the lots. Every year I am in awe of the beauty found in our Christmas tree, whether we find it at the tree lot or in the forest, and I am reminded this is yet one more benefit to living in this gorgeous Pacific Northwest wonderland!
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Brenda Menzel, Broker
Cascade Sotheby’s Int’ l Realty ~ Hello Bend Real Estate
541-640-2125