Festival of Trees - Fun for the Whole Family

Even though it is only November, you can’t help but be reminded that Christmas is just around the corner. Stores have been stocked with holiday decorations before Halloween even arrived. On-line merchandisers have flooded my inbox with promotions trying to convenience me to buy early because there are only 52 shopping days left. I’ve already found myself scheduling holiday photos and volunteering to help with several Christmas Parties. And the month has only just begun.

I don’t usually do any shopping or decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. In our house, the month of November is dedicated to charity and remembering our blessings. It is something that can easily be forgotten in the glitz that has become Christmas. However, the month of November does bring with it one activity in Moore County that combines the season of giving with the spirit of Christmas – The Sandhills Children’s Center’s Festival of Trees.

This year the Sandhills Children’s Center will be celebrating its 10th Festival of Trees from Nov. 17 – 19 at the Pine Needles Conference Center in Southern Pines. Although the festival is held over three days, there is one day dedicated to family. On Friday, Nov. 17 from 4 – 8 p.m., the Festival of Trees will be hosting Family Night for children of all ages. Admission is by donation and includes refreshments courtesy of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, cookie decorating by The American Culinary Federation and a visit with Santa.

If you have never been before, this is a must see for families. Last year, we were truly amazed with all the Christmas decorations. It was like walking into a winter wonderland. The children were mesmerized by all the lights and beautiful ornaments. We probably walked through the trees at least a dozen times grabbing another Krispy Kreme donut hole to enjoy along the way.

The cookie decorating station was another hot spot. I’m still not sure which the kids enjoyed more – the decorating or the eating! Either way, the American Culinary Federation’s chefs did a great job assisting even the youngest of children. But the highlight had to be Santa. Decked out in his best suit, Santa spent the evening listening to Christmas wishes, posing for photos and passing out goodies.

Just because you went last year doesn’t mean you should skip this year. The Festival of Trees will be featuring a spectacular gingerbread village created by some of the areas top designers. This enchanting village is sure to become a family favorite. They’ve also added new items to the gift shop which is the perfect destination to start your holiday shopping.

To ensure a fun-filled family event, here are a few tips to make you trip to the Festival of Trees more enjoyable.

• Parking is limited so arrive early or be prepared to walk a short distance. The festival attracts large numbers on family night so expect a crowd.

• This also makes it extremely difficult to maneuver large strollers, consider bringing an umbrella stroller or none at all.

• If you are bringing small children and only intend to take pictures with Santa, consider coming on Sunday, Nov. 19, when Santa visits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The wait for Santa can take close to an hour when things get really busy on family night.

• Make sure you bring your own camera if you are taking photos with Santa. To avoid the long wait, consider having an adult from your group stand in line when you arrive while the children have fun enjoying the festivities.

And finally, just have a good time mingling with friends while supporting a great community.