The stockings are being hung by the chimney with care and the halls are being decked with boughs of holly, but where, oh where, is the centerpiece to these festivities?
Sure, you could travel to San Rafael or Bon Air Shopping Center to get your Christmas tree and have to lug it all the way back home, giving your money to other towns in the process, but why would you want to do that when we have all the evergreen you need right here.
O'Donnell's Nursery operates the only Christmas tree lot in Fairfax at the corner of Willow Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, starting the day after Thanksgiving and running until Christmas or the trees are gone -- whichever comes first. Run by Paul O'Donnell, the nursery has been in business for over 20 years and focuses on organics and native plants.
In that tradition, the Christmas trees, which are shipped from Oregon, have only a fungicide on them to aid in the shipping process. Both live and cut trees are available and the nursery sells Douglas and Noble firs.
Prices range from $14.99 for the kid-sized trees to $249.99 for the biggest grandaddy tree. The nursery lot is stocked full of trees, with more still bundled up from the journey piled high. Head on over between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. any day -- though they might close if the weather is bad.
In San Anselmo, also offers a selection of live trees, potted in soil, for you to take home. A wealth of everygreens is available for the more discriminating Christmas-goers: Noble Fir, Colorado Blue, Green Spruce, Douglas Fir, Turkish Fir, and Redwoods.
Founded in 1940 by Don Perry, Sunnyside is still run by his grandsons Tom and Ross. The nursery focuses on California native plants and deer-resistant plants -- not that a whole lot of deer will be nibbling on your ornaments.
Sunnyside is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Prices on their trees range from $49 to $119.
Though no nursery, has rolled out a number of Fraser, Noble, Nordman and Douglas firs, creating an actual tree lot in the parking lot. Customers don't even need to go into the grocery store, but can pay for their tree at a cash register outside.
Prices range from $24.98 to $89.88 for the ten-foot giant and the lot is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
And, while you're there, why not pop into next to United and get some holiday wreaths and garlands too?
Or, you can always do what Lisa Roth did and visit all the tree lots in Central Marin.
"I'm doing reconnaissance right now," the San Anselmo resident said. She had visited the lots at Bon Air Center and in San Rafael, gone to OSH, Home Depot and Mollie Stone's, but knew exactly which one she wanted in the lot outside United.
She was glad she had found the perfect tree at United, since she wanted to shop local and support a store in town and, she said, they have great products.
"If it was up to me, I know which one I'd buy," said Roth. But, now that she's done the leg work to hang to holly, Roth will be bringing her boyfriend back to pick out some holiday spirit together.
Where will you be getting your tree?
