We officially kicked into the Christmas season yesterday by going to get a tree and the appropriate greenery for the mantle and such. We’ve had kind of a unofficial tradition for several years of buying our tree from these guys who come down from “up north” from some place– I think near Traverse City, though it might be the UP– and set up in a parking lot. (For locals: these guys used to set up where the Whole Foods is now, when that was a more or less abandoned field. Last year, they were in the parking lot in front of Merchant of Vino over on Plymouth).
And when I say “set up,” I mean set up. They had a big ol’ airstream camper that they, about five guys, would set up and live in for about a month while selling their trees and wreaths and such. Part of the ritual was going inside the camper to write a check; it was a bit like going back in time a bit since the camper interior was more or less 1950’s vintage, and it always seemed a bit too warm, and the dark mess beyond the “business” area seemed a bit like a frat house or perhaps a hunting lodge.
Anyway, it cost a little more, but the trees were good, the customer service was excellent, and traditions can be fun.
Well, we went by the parking lot where they were last year and they weren’t there. The last time they had moved from one parking lot to another across town, they actually sent us a postcard to inform us of the move; we didn’t get anything like that this year. So in confusion, the Christmas tree tradition ends.
Annette and I were a bit perplexed about where else we should get a tree. After stopping by a local store that was more or less selling “boutique” trees, we ended up at Home Depot. The trees were cheap, but it was very much a “do-it-yourself” kind of operation, and the quality of trees was slim. Still, once we got it set up and once Annette figured out the lighting, it looks pretty much like a Christmas tree.
Next year, I want to go some place where I can cut my own.
Update:
It appears that the guys with the big camper have indeed set up in Ann Arbor this year– this time, in front of the Dollar Store on Washtenaw across the street from Arborland. Oh well; maybe next year.
We went to a farm today in Ida. It’s about 25 minutes south of here. A really cool place. Stephanie and I will have full reports on our blogs tomorrow.
Ah, Christmas trees. I keep thinking I should grow them at my place and setup a business.
In the interests of mystery solving, I have discovered that there are actually TWO Xmas tree sites run by the airstream trailer guys. Although I was confused for a while about the first location (across from Arborland), I soon discovered that the airstream cowboys have another site near Arbor Farms on Stadium. Obviously the Xmas tree business is doing well.
On the same topic, this year I mail ordered a tree from LLBean. After years of disappointing trees (some too dry, others too old, many others just plain weirdly shaped), I figured a smashing tree from LL Bean straight from the Maine Woods to the Michigan woods of Ann Arbor would be an insurance against yet another disappointment. However, it was not to be. Instead of the graceful sweep of a dark green fir tree, the tree LLBean sent was short, stubby and not all that fresh. I give up. Next year, I’m buying a lavendar (or pink) fake tree.