The festive season has officially begun in the Illawarra region as Santa's Farm in Tullimbar opened its gates to Christmas tree hunters on Monday, December 1, marking the start of the annual tradition for many local families.
Family Traditions Come Alive
Among the first visitors to the farm were Emma and Jeremy Shipp from Corrimal, who have maintained the Christmas tree choosing tradition for an entire decade. Now with three children, the annual excursion to select and cut down their tree has become a cherished family ritual.
"We usually come here either the first or just before, cut the tree down with the kids, get photos in the sled, we do it every year," Ms Shipp explained.
This year, the family made a practical adjustment to their usual choice. "My husband has got a very particular taste, and we wanted something a little smaller. Usually, we go really big, but because we've got a little boy who's crawling now, we decided to go for something a tiny bit smaller."
The Sensory Experience of Real Christmas Trees
Another regular couple, Nicky Edwards and Tom Agnew from Marshall Mount, emphasized that "it's not Christmas without a real tree" for them. Ms Edwards highlighted the unique appeal of natural trees, noting "It just smells good, it makes the whole house smell good."
She appreciated the individuality of each tree, saying "They're always unique each year, they're always a little bit lopsided, but in a good way."
Farm owner Rowan Pyers confirmed the sensory benefits of choosing a real tree, particularly the distinctive pine aroma that fills homes. "The smell of it in the house, to come back at night and get that nice pine smell. I think that smell, that's Christmas."
Years of Preparation for Christmas Joy
Mr Pyers expressed his excitement about this year's crop, revealing the long-term commitment required to grow Christmas trees. "There's five years to get them to this stage, so it's not like just plant one and then we're going to be selling it for next year."
He acknowledged the challenges of previous seasons, stating "We've had a few years that it's been tough with the weather, and so we've finally got a lovely crop of trees."
The farm owner was delighted to see strong attendance on opening day, particularly noting the family atmosphere. "It's great to see lots of people, especially with their kids, whether they're grandchildren or younger children coming out. That's what it's all about, really, the family coming out and getting out there and enjoying the outdoors with their family."
According to Mr Pyers, with proper care, the Christmas trees can maintain their freshness for five to six weeks, ensuring they last through the entire festive season.
Bringing Christmas Home
For the Shipp family, the experience continues once they get their chosen tree home. Ms Shipp detailed their decoration process: "We will wash it off, try and get rid of all the bugs, that is the downside of a real Christmas tree. Then we will do the lights first, then the kids will help put on some of the lower decorations, then we'll finish off with the star on the top."
She summed up the appeal of real Christmas trees for her family: "We love doing the whole real Christmas tree, we love the smell, it's just a special part of Christmas."
The scene at Santa's Farm captured the essence of the holiday spirit, with children enthusiastically pulling sleds used to transport the freshly cut trees while parents handled the saws. The farm's opening signals the official countdown to Christmas for many Illawarra families who value the tradition of selecting their own real Christmas tree.
