FOR MANY A HOLIDAY SEASON, this unpretentious Christmas tree lot has operated at the intersection of busy Second Avenue Northwest and Minnesota Highway 3 near the edge of Faribault.
I’ve never shopped for a tree here. But, one of these holiday seasons, instead of passing by, I need to stop and ask a few questions, take a few photos, learn the history of this place and perhaps pick out a tree.
Our family Christmas tree always sat on the end of the kitchen table, as shown in this Christmas 1964 photo. That’s me in the red jumper with four of my five siblings.
The lot reminds me of childhood Christmases, when my family would choose a short-in-stature, short-needled Christmas tree at the local grocery store.
To this day, I prefer a Charlie Brown type tree to one that’s tall, full and perfectly-branched.
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I couldn’t agree more!!! I/we have an artificial tree now (started that a few years ago) and it’s only about 2.5 ft. tall and sets in our bay window! I get up in the morning and plug in the lights for the day. They’re unplugged just before bedtime. Love it!!!!!!
I’ve never had a tree quite as small as the ones I recall from my childhood. But that’s what I aim for.
This year our tree cost $15 since we typically wait until very close to Christmas to buy one. Trees were discounted 25 percent, plus I had a $5 off coupon. We got our tree last Tuesday, in plenty of time for Christmas. The tree lot attendant tried to sell us a much more costly and larger one. He does not know my history nor space limitations. I looked, admired and then headed for the row of shortest and least expensive trees.
And gave a loving home to an “orphan” tree-let!!! Hugs……..
Love the family photo:) This year is a whole new experience with moving a few months back and celebrating Christmas early. So the pine tree outside the living room has been rope lighted and donned “the tree”. It works – I get to spend quality time with my greatest someones and that is what matters more to me than anything:)
Your solution to a Christmas tree this year sounds perfect.
I love that vintage family photo also as I have so few from my childhood.
I love the old vintage photograps,I lost all I had in a fire several years ago.
Oh what I would give to have the back
A lot of memories just went up in flames.
It was a very sad day!
I am so sorry to hear this. I cannot imagine the devastation of a fire. If you’ve been reading my recent posts, you know that a family from my home area recently lost two of their children in a devastating house fire. I cannot even begin to imagine the depths of their grief in losing two of their children and then all of their possessions, too.
Yes! I read that post,and it was very sad to know that happened! ToThose poor kids!
I was very lucky all I lost was just stuff,which most of it could be replaced,
Sort of puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?
Yes it sure does! Never know what is going to happen next,
I thought it was a great solution. I have a whole box of old photos to archive electronically.
What a great idea to archive your photos electronically. Sounds like a major undertaking. And I’m sure it takes longer because you start recalling bygone days when you sift through family photos.
Archiving is an undertaking, but worth it. I relive my childhood in some pics – ha!
Beautiful story! And wonderful photos!
Reminds me of the good old days!
Yup, you’re right. The good old days.
Hi! Christmas is sure not what they used to be like for sure!
But I wish you A Mery Christmas! Hope you have a wonderful one!
I reall enjoy reading your posts!
Thank you kindly. And a Merry Christmas to you also!
I grew up going to the local tree lot with dad, helping to pick the perfect tree, Dad still goes every year to get a real tree. Rick and I always had a real tree up until about 4 years ago the two older kids were gone, (married) and we had new carpet so we decided to bite the bullet and buy artificial, it was a hard decision, but i’ve gotten used to it and realized that it was the right time to do it. I love the photo of you and your siblings….oh the Christmas memories.
The thought of getting an artificial tree has crossed my mind. But then where to store it and I guess I’m not ready to give up the pine scent.
That photo is pretty sweet, isn’t it?
What a great picture of the family!!! I love the tree—-we have an artificial pencil tree that I have put the past few years just because we are not home anymore and it just does not make sense to put up a huge tree or spend money on a live one when we won’t be there to enjoy it. I do love the pine scent—it makes it seem like Christmas.
My aunt gave me that family snapshot a number of years back and it’s become one of my favorites. It truly captures the Christmas scene I most remember, that tree on the end of the kitchen table and all of us dressed for Christmas Eve church services.
Enjoyed seeing your picture from early years. The memories came back of your kitchen, visiting for different birthdays and going outside for the bathroom!! Have a wonderfully joyous Christmas!!
Happy to bring back those extended family memories of gathering to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. Those were some wonderful years.
A most blessed Christmas to you and yours, cousin Bev!
I still love tinsel!! Just can’t use it because of the new kitten Cozzie.
Merry Christmas Sister.
Love you
I look at that tree on the table and am amazed at it’s smallness. It never seemed that tiny when I was growing up. I love tinsel, too, because of all the tinsel draped on our childhood Christmas trees.
Have a wonderful Christmas, sister! So happy we could celebrate with you this past weekend. Nothing beats being together with loved ones.
Merry Christmas to you, Audrey and all your family. That would be a very cold business to be in – waiting on the side of a busy road selling trees in the middle of winter. I sold trees for the scouts this year and it was HOT and I had to keep re-applying the sunscreen. And you hope to sell them quickly or they die from a lack of water! I love the photo of you with your siblings – such a step-back in time xx
Yes, I loved your post about you and Alfie selling trees and thought how different your experience from ours in the States.
That vintage photo is one of my favs, too. My youngest brother was not yet born when that photo was taken.
I used to love picking out our tree. Such a fun tradition.
It was a quick process this year as I wasn’t feeling well on the evening we went tree shopping and I really did not care too much. Lucky Randy.
I used to be pickier. I remember the year I allowed Colin to pick it out without me – that was a big deal!