Christmas tree farms busier than usual before Thanksgiving

STOW, Mass. — Most years people wait to buy their Christmas tree until right after Thanksgiving, but 2020 is a year like no other.

“Christmas is by far the best season of the year, so why not start it early,” said Scott Cope, who was buying a tree in Stow on Sunday.

“I think it’s been a tough year for everybody, so I think anything that can give us some joy and happiness is the right time to do it,” said Sherine Miceli, a customer at Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm.

That’s why many families went out to get their Christmas trees Sunday, to bring some of that holiday spirit back home a few days before Thanksgiving.

“Picking up the turkey on the way home, turkey and a tree in one day,” said Steve Miceli.

“This was by far our busiest day in 12 years, and we sort of expected it to be busy because of the COVID,” said Mark Harnett, owner of Mistletoe Christmas Tree Farm in Stow.

Harnett said he’s never seen his farm this busy in one day, especially before Thanksgiving.

“This morning when we got up at 8:30, we’re up ready to go and cars parked up – 100 cars that way and 100 cars that way, never happened before,” he said.

Mental health experts say holiday music and decorations can actually boost your mood, so if you feel like getting your Christmas tree earlier this year, go for it.

“People are absolutely decorating early this year, we sold many more wreaths than we sell usually this time of year,” Harnett said.

Families are not only looking for that holiday cheer during a tough year. Finding the perfect tree is also a safe outdoor activity to do during the pandemic. If you’d rather wait until after turkey day, there will be plenty of trees already cut, but if you prefer to chop down your own, you may be out of luck after Thanksgiving.

“I think we’re going to be out of cut-your-own trees by this Wednesday,” Harnett said.

Cox Media Group