#ThrowbackThursday – A Visit to the Tree Farm

This is not such a throwback since it’s only to yesterday and our annual visit to the Anne Ellen Tree Farm in Manalapan. We’ve been going there for over 25 years to get our tree. We also commemorate the trip by buying a new ornament to add to the tree. I have to say they’ve done a lovely job in expanding the location with lots of new areas and fun activities for the kids, like a petting farm.

Here are some photos from our visit as well as a before and after of the tree we chose!

Christmas Fun!

With my daughter now running her shop, we had to mix two traditions together this Christmas season: Getting the tree and visiting New York City.

We started our morning yesterday with a run out to the Anne Ellen Tree Farm in Manalapan where we walked around in gorgeous weather to pick out our tree! We also pick out new ornaments to add to the tree each year. This is a picture of the ornament shop at Anne Ellen!

Then it was a rush home to get dressed and ready for our annual trip to New York City. We love seeing all the windows, visiting the NY Public Library to check out their exhibits, seeing the tree in Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s across the way before finally getting to Lincoln Center to watch the Nutcracker.

It was a day packed with walking and lots of fun and I’ve got a mess of pictures to share with you.

At the library, they had an exhibit on lunches in New York City. It was fun to see the evolution of city eateries, from the pushcarts to power lunches. The part of the exhibit on Horn & Hardart brought back memories of going to one with my mom. The last functioning automat was actually across the street from my old office! Here’s a shot of what they looked like.

Then we were off to see the tree in Rockefeller Center. It looked lovely this year!

We had a lovely time walking up Fifth Avenue and through part of Central Park before heading to our final destination – Lincoln Center!

Those are just some of the photos! To see more, you can click here.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?