The Good News Magazine

Seasonal Stress? Take Back Your Holidays

We've all heard it. In fact, most of us have said as much ourselves. While the phraseology may differ from person to person, the gist is the same, and it goes something like this: "Gird your loins! Here come the holidays!" Tracing the origins of holiday stress might be difficult; the trouble has existed for millennia.

The Catholic Church frowned upon Christmas gift giving in the Middle Ages because of its perceived ties with paganism, and the Puritans banned the holiday altogether, wagging fingers at what they believed to be the debauchery of the Catholics. Dickens' infamous Ebenezer Scrooge was created in 1843, predating Seuss' Christmas-hating Grinch by more than 100 years. Once of fairly modest significance among Jewish holy days, the eight day festival of Hanukkah now often includes home decorations as well as more substantial gift giving within families, a source of consternation for those who would prefer to keep the holiday distinct from Christmas.

According to the American Psychological Association, the top two worries this time of year are lack of money and lack of time, with commercialization running a close third. Yes, 'tis the season, and chances are our health is quietly suffering from the stress of it. The good news is, there are solutions that can help us take back our holidays. This year, suppose we trade some of the time spent searching for meaningful gifts for time spent creating memorable experiences instead? You can feel your step getting lighter already, can't you?

Mary Ellen and John Hutchison began operating Hutchison's Christmas Forest 40 years ago.

While shopping for gifts often doesn't often involve the whole family, shopping for a tree or greenery can. The Mid-Shore is home to several Christmas tree farms, each of which offers the opportunity to start a memory-making tradition. John Hutchison is the oldest of five brothers who grew up on the family's farm in Cordova. John developed a deep appreciation for nature at a young age, but after graduating high school in 1955, he left the farm to pursue another career. He earned three degrees ("and a wife") at the University of Maryland. Then, in 1970, John left his post as a senior government economist and came back to the family farm. He rejoined his brothers, built a home on a piece of land given to him by his father, and took up a personal opportunity to start a business growing Christmas trees, which first became available for sale in 1978 at Hutchison's Christmas Forest.

Today, John calls himself retired, but it's difficult to believe him. Although he is no longer in the family farming business, he continues to grow an upward of 10,000 Christmas trees. John speaks of his work with reverence. "I enjoy it. I like being outside, watching nature. Even in the heat of summer, I still like it." Tree customers will find Hutchison's Christmas Forest open for business from November 26 to December 24, every day except Sundays, from 8 a.m. until dark. John explains that when customers arrive, "they will find ample parking, instructions on how to choose and cut their tree, hot chocolate, and my wife's famous Toll House cookies. If they're lucky, they might even spot the Christmas Tree Leprechaun as they wander amid the acres of trees!" This season, he will again offer a free white pine to anyone who can't afford to buy a tree. Further information can be found by calling John or his wife, Mary Ellen, at 410-364-5005.

Farther north, in Centreville, Ed and Harriet Caporin own Blue Heron Tree Farm. The couple began planting trees in 1984; a decade later, they had 15 acres of mature or maturing Blue spruce, Douglas fir, White pine, and other species. In the beginning, the Caporins wrestled with mastering weed management, irrigation, and bag worms. In 1994, for example, Ed says, "We lost 80 to 90 percent of our trees to drought. Talk about learning the hard way!" They credit the Maryland Christmas Tree Growers Association with helping them through these challenges, as well as with offering support in marketing and networking.

Ed and Harriet Caporin look forward to hosting new and returning customers at Blue Heron Tree Farm this season.

A trip to Blue Heron Tree Farm now provides ample enjoyment. Starting November 26, the farm is open every day except Wednesday. On weekends they are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., while on weekdays, they are open from 1 to 5 p.m. Hayrides are available on weekends at 1 p.m., weather permitting. The tree selection experience at Blue Heron might also include a visit to their gift shop, a look at the outdoor train display, or a warm cup of spiced cider. Wreaths and roping are also available for purchase.

Evoking the feelings many of us claim to want for the holidays, Ed describes how some of his customers come great distances to enjoy this opportunity, occasionally spending most of the day at the farm. "They appreciate the tranquility, the experience of being with people they care about in a relaxed environment. They love taking time to choose just the right tree." By way of encouragement, Harriet notes the environmental benefits of choosing a live tree over an artificial one: "Real trees are a renewable, recyclable resource not made from non-biodegradable plastics." Ed, on the other hand, tickles the playful side of us all in saying, "Come on out and have a good time. It doesn't even matter if you don't buy a tree."

Judy and Roy Crow, and their cat, Curious, will host a Holiday Open House the first weekend in December.

Photograph courtesy of Rob Crow.

Roy and Judy Crow don't raise Christmas trees, instead they operate a Farmstay Bed and Breakfast in Kennedyville. Just opened this spring, it is the perfect getaway for the holiday haggard. At Crow Farm, they raise grass-fed black angus cattle and pastured chickens. And they have plans to build a winery. According to the folks at Farmstay Bed and Breakfast, "The newly opened B&B provides a unique visitor experience for the area, the ability to immerse in farm life as it used to be...home-cooked meals, purring barn cats, rustic barns, meandering walking trails through the wide open fields and a friendly angus beef herd."

The Crows are vested in keeping the 365-acre, third generation farm alive, and to do so, they're bringing in the adult children from their blended family. Judy beams, "One son is managing the vineyard; another is assisting us with legal issues; while a third has done much of the photography for our website. We are totally committed to the whole farm-to-fork movement, and we believe in supporting the next generation with decisions we make today."

This attitude permeates their varied offerings, which include cooking classes, special events, beef and egg sales, a gift shop, and of course, the Bed and Breakfast. Imagine giving your significant someone the gift of a weekend farm retreat (with you, of course), or an interactive evening of cooking and dining. Crow Farm is hosting an Open House Weekend on December 3 through 5. Hours are Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors can sample a future experience, or simply celebrate an early December day by touring the Farmstay Bed and Breakfast, enjoying refreshments, including meatballs made with Crow Farm beef, and making a fresh, holiday flower arrangement.

The holidays certainly inundate us with commercialization and busy-ness. While few among us want to take the approach of the joy-robbing Grinch, most of us are weary of the modern traditions that tax our budgets and offer few memories in turn. Ponder this: who but us can change that? Like the Whos down in Whoville, the tall and the small, who were singing without any presents at all, perhaps this holiday season we can allow meaningful experiences to become our greatest gifts.

Elizabeth Beggins has been writing Attraction’s Green Shore column since August 2008. She is a freelance writer and sustainability educator with over a decade of experience as a market gardener on the Eastern Shore. She directs the You Food Project (youfoodproject@gmail.com), a grassroots initiative with a mission to connect youth to food and the environment through school gardens. Elizabeth lives in St. Michaels with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and one very old chicken.