Christmas Outings Abound in the Greater Tulsa Area
By MARNIE FERNANDEZ
I can’t believe it is already that time of year again. Each year seems to go by faster and faster until I’m pretty sure the year will just become one endless holiday season.
When you have four kids who all still believe in Santa, the holidays are pure magic. There are endless possibilities of ways to spend the holiday season – some don’t even cost a dime.
One of our favorite days out of the year is the annual hunt for the Fernandez Family Christmas tree. We dress up in our warm clothes, put in the holiday CDs in the car, and head off to a family-run Christmas tree farm. There is just something old-fashioned and nostalgic about picking out your tree at a farm.
We let the kids help pick out the tree; however, anal, architect dad has the final say, and while we are loading up the tree, the kids run around the farm, talk to Santa, or enjoy the hot cocoa or other goodies that they serve. Then we bring home the tree, listen to Christmas music as we all decorate the tree together.
This event takes an entire day and doesn’t cost us anything more than the cost of the tree. We usually get one for around $50 to $60. For a beautiful tree and amazing family memories, it is definitely well worth the money spent.
Our two favorite places to hunt for trees are both located within 30 miles of Tulsa.
Pleasant Valley Farms is located at 22350 W 71st St S in Sand Springs.
Days and hours of operation are the day after Thanksgiving, and weekends until Christmas Eve. 9 a.m. to dark. Choose and cut White pine and Virginia pine, precut Noble fir, Grand fir, Fraser fir, Nordman fir and Scotch Pine.
Belgium horse drawn carriage rides are offered Dec. 1,8, and 15. Santa Claus is on site from 2 p.m. to dark. Wreaths, tree stands and a gift shop are featured. Free cider, cocoa, coffee and candy canes are available.
The Owasso Christmas Tree and Berry Farm is located at 11039 N 129th E Ave in Owasso. Hours and dates of operation are Monday – Friday noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the day after Thanksgiving, then Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Choose and cut your own Virginia pine, precut Frasier fir, precut Douglas fir, precut Grand Fir and precut Noble Fir.
Leyland Cypress, wreaths, garland, greenery and tree stands are offered along with ornaments and décor in a large gift shop. Free cider and candy canes are available. Families have the opportunity to enjoy a hay ride there.
Both are locally owned and operated and our family has had great experiences at both places.
We also always load up the kids in their pajamas, turn on Christmas music, put a thermos of hot cocoa in the car and search for Christmas wonderlands of lights.
Kingfisher In Lights is a further drive than most but is special to my family because my grandparents lived here for years. The displays can be viewed with a drive thru, a horse drawn carriage ride, or aboard the park’s miniature train.
A featured display is the Stairway to Heaven a tribute to those lost in the 1995 Murrah bombing. 171 angels make up a 62-foot tree with an animated lighting that begins at the bottom climbing to the top of the tree that represents the 168 victims and three unborn children as they ascend from earth to heaven.
Visitors are encouraged to park and take a walk across a 100-year-old swinging bridge, a historical piece in Kingfisher’s history that is illuminated with over 90,000 lights.
Kingfisher in the Park begins Wednesday, Nov. 24 and continues through Dec. 31. The park is open Sunday-Thursday 6 p.m.-10 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission for the park is free with donations being accepted. There is a small fee for the train and carriage rides. The park is located on Highway 33 just east of Highway 81.
From the Fernandez Family to yours…Happy Holidays!
Updated 12-16-2010
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