Christmas from the Farm

It’s December, which means that all the magazines are in full-on holiday mode.  The checkout counter of your local supermarket is awash in cover images of cherub-cheeked children drinking hot apple cider in front of crackling fires, of tables groaning under the weight of pumpkin pies and roasted turkeys, of freshly-cut trees trimmed with ribbon, of farmhouses strung with lights and covered in snow.

Everyone wants a country Christmas.

Of course, you can buy a facsimile of a country Christmas anywhere.  The supermarket offers frozen pumpkin pies, the hardware store plastic trees and even the convenience store has Duraflame logs.  But a real farm Christmas offers flavors, scents, sights and sounds no Walmart can match.  Even if you don’t live in the country, you can enjoy the pleasures and beauty offered by local farms this season. What’s more, you can support the rural life that all those magazines celebrate. Winter can be a hard time for family farmers in New England.  Your support can make a big difference. 

With that, I would like to offer you NewEnglandGrown’s suggestions of ways to bring the farm into your holiday season.

• Cut your own Christmas tree.  Or, if you prefer, let your farmer cut it for you.  A trip to a Christmas tree farm makes for a lovely day out and could become a cherished holiday tradition.  Many farms offer hot cider and cookies to make the day special, some even have hay rides and petting areas for farm animals. Our listing of New England Christmas tree farms is here. Why buy a tree that was cut weeks ago and trucked down from Canada when there are fresh trees available right near you? (If you can’t get to the farm, many farms will ship wreaths or even trees to your home.)

• Put down the shrink-wrapped firewood!  Those who use a woodstove or fireplace as a regular source of heat are unlikely to need to be told, but the firewood sold in small, shrink-wrapped bundles at the convenience store is overpriced.  And who knows how far it’s been shipped?  Many farmers supplement their farm incomes with the sale of firewood. Check your local farm stand.

• Offer your guests a local dinner.  Good local storage vegetables and fruit, like squash, potatoes and Brussel sprouts, apples and pears, are still available from those farmers who maintain a year-round farm stand. Local turkey or prime rib can offer unmatched flavor. And don’t forget the pies!  Many farm stands offer locally-made pies created with locally-grown fruit.

• And with that dinner, serve a local beverage.  New England fruit wines can be an unusual and delicious choice. Or, consider offering a sparkling hard cider. Of course, non-alcoholic hot cider is the traditional choice for carolers or sledders.

• Get away from it all!  The holidays can be fun, but also a lot of work.  Consider planning a weekend away in January to recharge your batteries.  There are many inns and B&Bs located on working farms in New England.  These range from the rustic to the luxurious, but each offers a unique experience of rural New England.

And what about the presents?  See our Farm Gift Guide for some suggestions on how to support local farmers while checking all the names off your  gift list.