There is a growing tradition to have the Christmas tree up for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to Bev Thorne of The Evergeen Farm in Clinton Township.
CLINTON TWP. -- The sunny weather over Thanksgiving weekend provided a perfect backdrop for New Jersey's Christmas tree farms and their customers.
"Our sales have been brisk -- likely helped by the wonderful weather," reported Bev Thorne, co-owner of The Evergreen Farm. "We are off to a very strong start this holiday season."
The farm, located near Round Valley Reservoir, opened the weekend preceding Thanksgiving and many customers came in early to tag trees for later pickup and others to have trees cut, Thorne said.
"It seems that there is a growing tradition to have the tree up for the Thanksgiving holiday, so many customers have cut earlier than in past years," Thorne said. "It seems that they want it up because they won't see the same family members for Christmas as are gathered for Thanksgiving."
The Thornes continue to run the farm with their son, Mike, a student at nearby Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, while their other two adult children, Brian and Betsy, attend school and work farther away.
The Evergreen Farm will remain open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 18. No appointment is necessary. The farm is located at 4 Bass Lane, off the Round Valley Access Road.
For a list of Christmas tree farms in every county in New Jersey, check the website of the New Jersey Christmas Tree Growers' Association.