The Strachan family takes turns cutting a Christmas tree selected from Keris Tree Farm in Allentown during one of Keris Tree Farm’s family days on Dec. 4. LAUREN CASSELBERRY ALLENTOWN — Families from far and wide visit Keris Tree Farm annually as part of its Christmas traditions.
This year, the family-owned and -operated farm is celebrating 20 years of harvesting trees and the Christmas spirit. The 24-acre farm has been in the Keris family since 1934, with the first trees planted in 1977 and harvested in 1990. The Keris family takes pride in nurturing their seedlings through years of growth until they become majestic Christmas trees.
The tree farm opens seasonally to individuals and families searching for the perfect tree. The farm grows more than 25,000 trees, including Douglas fir, blue spruce, white pine, concolor fir and Norway spruce. Balled and burlapped trees, as well as a selection of pre-cut Fraser fir trees from North Carolina, are also available. The family also sells holiday décor, including handmade ornaments, wreaths, roping, balsam pillows and other gifts in their Christmas shop.
Every year, the farm hosts family days the first two weekends of December. The family days will continue Dec. 11-12. This year, families can enjoy a visit with Santa Claus, pony rides from the Jersey Shore Pony Club, hot mulled cider, cocoa, cookies, holiday music from a brass ensemble, and a 4-H display of livestock. Windy Acre Alpacas will also showcase alpacas and goods made from their wool.
A member of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers Association and the National Christmas Tree Growers Association, the farm annually takes part in the Trees for Troops program. Since 2005, the National Christmas Tree Association in Chesterfield, Mo., has collected donations of trees from Christmas tree farmers and retailers through its nonprofit branch, the Christmas Spirit Foundation, to send to military families stationed across the United States and overseas.
In 2007, the foundation gave the average person a chance to help with the program by allowing consumers to purchase trees through participating farms for troops and their families. Keris Tree Farm has been participating in the Trees for Troops program since 2007.
“Farms all over the United States send trees that are delivered FedEx to families living on military bases,” said Maggie Keris, who manages the Christmas shop on the farm. “This year our trees are going to a base in Pensacola, Fla.”
This year, the farm let customers purchase trees and send a personal message to troops for $40 until Dec. 5.
For every tree purchased for a military family, the farm also donated $5 to the Christmas Spirit Foundation, according to Keris.
Those who would still like to contribute to the program can do so by visiting Keris Tree Farm and make a tax-deductible donation to the Christmas Spirit Foundation.
The Keris Tree Farm and Christmas Shop are located at 848 Route 524 in Allentown. The business is open daily through Christmas Eve from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.keristreefarm. com or call 609-259-0720.