Meert Tree Farm

For as long as I can remember my family has gotten a real tree to put in the house at Christmas time. Wait, before I go into too much detail with this, let me set something up for you. Ever see National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? That is my family’s ‘official’ Christmas movie. Yes, we like it because it’s funny… but more so, it has been dubbed the Oros family movie because those crazy Griswolds are like second cousins to us. We ARE the Griswolds. Example: When I was just a kid the family decided to hop in our ’79 Ford Fiesta and go on vacation to Myrtle Beach. The drive down culminated with our third breakdown, during which my dad got out and yelled obsenities at the car, during which my mom tried to distract us kids with hot dogs and candy (I love me a good hot dog). It was straight up out of Wallyworld.
SO, it’s only fitting that every December since I can remember, the Oros family piles into the ‘family truckster’ and embarks on the epic journey that is finding the perfect Christmas tree. Over the past couple of years, the family has grown… people have been added, but the end goal has remained the same… find the perfect tree and don’t let dad saw his or anyone else’s leg off. Thanks to Meert’s Tree Farm, I can proudly say ‘missioned accomplished’ for another year.
We’ve come to Meerts now for about three years and every year is equally as great as the last. There’s always plenty of healthy trees to choose from, you get a hayride up to the ‘tree field,’ and after all is said and done they have a great barn/​store/​wreath factory for taking a seat and sipping some hot chocolate. It can get pretty crowded there, so the earlier the better… but it’s all in good fun, so don’t stress out.
They do also provide you with a saw, so ripping the tree out of the ground ‘Clark style’ won’t have to be an option. Before I end this, might I suggest a couple of ‘to-do’s’ while at Meerts, straight out of the Oros family tradition:
DO:
— Push your brother into a tree. It sounds cruel, but I swear it’s hilarious and will soon become a family tradition
— Pose for pictures in the barn thing with all of the holiday knick knacks. Do it ‘Home Shopping Network’ style… good times
— Sing carols while riding on the truck. Don’t sing crappy carols… sing Rudolph or something. The hard core famiy riding next to you will give you the greatest looks EVER.
— Act like a pirate while tying the tree to the roof. And please tie the tree to the roof, that adds to the excitment of the drive home. «Did the tree just fall off??! I think I heard something… was that the tree??!»
In the words of Clark G., «You’re going to have more fun than when Bing Crosby danced with Danny f-​ing Kay!»