It’s the most wonderful time of the year! (If you like snow, that is 😉)

A lot of people are thinking about the holidays earlier this year, and that means that Christmas decorating is in full swing in many households.

If you are looking to create a Chirstmasy atmosphere in your house, then a real Christmas tree is a great addition. It looks fabulous, and it smells great too!

Plus, picking out your own one-of-a-kind Christmas tree from the farm is a fun experience for the whole family. It’s so much more than just cutting down a tree. Most tree farms offer plenty of other activities and treats to get you feeling festive.

Looking for a tree to make your house merry and bright this year? Here are a few fantastic farms worth checking out in the Mississippi Mills area:

Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 951 8th Concession South, Pakenham, ON K0A 2X0

Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm is the perfect local place to pick out a tree. Located less than 15 minutes north of Almonte, this family-owned and -operated farm has a wide variety of trees on offer. You can visit them any day after November 20th to cut your own tree, or take home one of their fresh, pre-cut trees.

A wagon ride will take you out to the fields where you can select and cut down your own tree. They will even provide the saw, so no need to worry if you don’t have your own.

Before you go, be sure to check out their gift shop and farm store for all of your seasonal needs. They also have the Candycane Kitchen, serving delicious treats from now until December 24.

There is even a sliding hill and a play structure to keep the kids entertained (and keep them moving so they don’t get cold).

Speaking of cold, Cedar Hill has a nice bonfire available for anyone who needs to warm up for a while.

There is no entry fee, but the farm does get quite busy. If possible, try to go on a weekday, or on a less busy weekend (end of November and first two weeks of December are their busiest times).

MacGowan’s Christmas Tree Farm

Address: 4611 Mohrs Rd, Kinburn, ON K0A 2H0

Up in the Ottawa Valley, you will find MacGowan’s Christmas Tree Farm. They are open every Saturday and Sunday for a cut-your-own tree experience. Included in the price of your tree, you get a wonderful wagon ride, hot chocolate, and cookies.

The farm staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and the experience is worthwhile if you are looking for a simple and comfortable outing.

Ian’s Christmas Adventure Park

Address: 804 Richmond Rd, Beckwith, ON K0A 1B0

Ian’s Christmas Adventure Park truly is more than a Christmas tree farm. In fact, it is the largest Christmas adventure park in Eastern Ontario. If you want to take your kids out for a full day of festivities, this is the place to go.

When you purchase your tree (whether you cut your own or choose a pre-cut option), the price also includes access to all of the seasonal attractions. There are nightly Christmas movies played on the outdoor screen, where you can nestle up by the fire. You can meet Santa and see his workshop, take a hayride, drink hot chocolate, enjoy a campfire, explore a maze, skate on the outdoor rink, go sledding, take a hike, and see all the lights on Candy Cane Lane.

If you don’t want to buy a tree, you can still enjoy the park for a fee of $10 per person.

They are open Thursday through Sunday during the holiday season.

Fallowfield Tree Farm

Address: 6100 Fallowfield Rd, Stittsville, ON K2S 1B8

Fallowfield Tree Farm is the farthest from Almonte. But, unlike all of the previously-mentioned farms, Fallowfield is an all-year tree farm. And they offer far more than evergreens. They actually sell all kinds of different trees to plant on your property.

But don’t think that they skimp out on the Christmas experience. They have a selection of cut-your-own and pre-cut Christmas trees available for purchase, and you can warm up with hot chocolate by the fire while you’re there.

The farm also features tunnel slides, pony rides, and farm animal petting to help the kids burn some energy.

Plus, for an additional fee, you can take a wagon ride, or – weather permitting – you can ride the horse-drawn sleigh.

They are open daily, so you have lots of opportunity to take a trip into Ottawa to check them out.