The Christmas Tree Hunt
a sacred social tradition plus the celebratory recipe
This article is part of The Heritage Recipe Project column, where we celebrate culinary heritage, the art of the shared recipe, and create a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
The thought of buying a Christmas Tree from a lot was such a foreign concept to a someone who grew up in a valley surrounded by mountains and pine trees. I always felt sorry for those kids on the movies whose parents dragged them to once-empty-lots-turned-to-Christmas-Tree-retail-stands. Transferring from foot to foot, slapping mittened hands together to keep warm while their parents debated the virtues of each tree. What? No snow ball fights, no sledding, no traipsing through knee-deep snow to find a tree. Those poor, poor kids.
An “Old Fashioned” Christmas Tree Hunt
I grew up in a town whose churches were very well attended. They were more than place of worship. They were the heart of the community. They were places for social gatherings. And most importantly, to us kids anyway, a place where tremendously fun event were orchestrated.
During the holiday season there was caroling in neighborhoods and at the “old folks home” - I would later learn that the proper name is the Veteran’s Home - who knew? There was the nativity play - I think I was an angel on year.
One of my favorite events was the annual Christmas Tree hunt. The ultimate goal was to find the perfect tree to grace the sanctuary with its 100 foot ceiling - or what seemed a hundred feet to the 11 year-old me. Anyone attending this sacred search was also able to scour the woods for tree to adorn their own front room.
We would meet at the church on the given day. Ritualistically, the cars and truck would pull into the parking lot. Moms would carry chili-filled Crock Pots into the church kitchen while dads would make sure the axe and saw blades were sharp. A route up into the woods would be chosen, cars were reloaded with the merry hunters, and the Christmas Tree caravan would embark on its journey.
Hours were spent choosing trees - maybe not hours, but it sure did seem that way.\
“How about this one?”
“No, it has a flat side and everyone will see it from the street.”
“This one’s absolutely perfect!”
“No, dear. I would have to cut 30 feet off to fit it in the living room.”
Once the perfectly-proportioned-just-tall-enough trees were chosen and expertly chopped down, they were dragged back to the awaiting vehicles.
Loaded into trucks, on top of station wagons or the occasional sedan, the trees with deftly secured with bailing twine. The longest ones bedecked with a bright orange flag - just in case it wasn’t apparent that there is a huge pine tree hanging a bit too far out of or over the vehicle.
Cold moms, triumphant dads, and exuberant kids were loaded into their respective vehicles and the caravan would make its return trip to the church.
The biggest-tree-ever was place in the sanctuary by the dad, while the moms made their way into the kitchen where they stirred the chili and started water for the hot chocolate. We kids would peel ourselves out of layers of winter clothing, plop onto the cold metal folding chairs anxiously awaiting our that sweet, chocolately cup of winter cheer. Our moms always seem a little more willing to add a couple more marshmallows than was typical this time of year, which we certainly didn’t mind at all.
It was the perfect end to the perfect Christmas Tree hunt.
Perfect Hot Chocolate Mix
Serves: (22 - 24) • Prep: (10 minutes)
It’s always a good idea to have a good hot chocolate mix on hand. This is the one that my mom used to make us a steamy mug of delicious hot chocolate.
Ingredients
3 cups dry milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in the cup of a blender or the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it’s a coarse powder. Store in an airtight container.
To prepare: Measure 1/4 cup of hot chocolate mix into your favor.
Bring 3/4 cup of water to a boil. Pour 1/4 cup over the mixture and stir to form a thick paste.
Slowly whisk the remaining water into the paste.
Top with marshmallows and enjoy!
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