My husband and I have been going to Bennie's Nursery for the past several years for their cemetery…read morelogs, the people are so friendly and the logs are made right on the premises, its a tradition we like to continue. Gail and Rich and Sparky too!

Each year we head up the same mountain in the small town of Tunkhannock located in Northeastern…read morePennsylvania, right near where my husband grew up. This place is simple and sweet. I get so emotional seeing that handmade little wooden sign "Bennie's Nursery" as we make that left hand turn to head up the mountain. We then blast and sing Christmas songs as we venture up. Friendly smiles are waiting there to greet us. Each and every year they remember us, our story and where we are from. They always hand us a saw and ask "to the top of the mountain?". "Yes, indeed!!" That's where the most beautiful, tall, fragrant, fresh Douglas Firs sit, waiting to be picked and cut. You can of course just come and purchase one pre cut and wrapped, but what's the fun in that?! There's something so unbelievably satisfying in choosing and cutting down your own tree. It's all so exciting for us all for different reasons. The kids run around and dance, play tag and hide and go seek between the trees. Mission: find THE perfect tree begins. We used to find the absolute tallest one they had as we had 15 foot ceilings in our last home. Our trees were rather magnificent. Now we bring a wooden ruler they provide and get a 7-8 foot full, symmetrical beauty. My husband feels tough, saw in hand, ready to get his manly stance on and cut that baby down. I of course have to kneel down and make a few cuts also! Every cut counts after all. This Mama takes a step back and watches it all, thinking back on our visit for our very first tree we cut down here almost a decade ago. I was super pregnant and super emotional. Then I recall upon the following year there for the first time as a family. And then the following year pregnant again and having just revealed our big news to my husband's family at Thanksgiving. Of course then the following year as a family of four for the first time. The next year we visited with our first family dog we just surprised the girls with mere days earlier. The next year a new baby kitten awaits us a home to complete our happy family. Life always seems to be changing each time we visit but there are a few things that stay the same... how much we adore this tradition and how joy filled we leave this magical place each and every year. The service, quality and prices have never changed either. The staff is just wonderful! They are there to help you every step of the way. They will be as active or not depending on how ambitious you are. They are also more than willing to snap family photos. You can choose to drive up the mountain if you have a SUV or truck or you can ride in the back of one of theirs. We chose that this year for the first time ever. The kiddos were finally big enough to just hop in the back and sit on the hay bails. They loved it! Try it! After hauling your tree back down the mountain, the staff wraps it up and helps you tie it on top of your car. We used to bring our own rope but they also have some readily available so fear not. They write you out a ticket with the height, type and price and you pay at the hut. Cash only! The prices here are insanely reasonable especially for the size you receive! We can't believe the trees half the size and twice as much in the city back home. They have told us that they also provide and deliver trees for some pretty important people in NYC. Hot cocoa and cookies await us in the barn where fresh made swag and wreaths the wives of the workers make with extras that fall from the trees hang. You receive a discount on these items of you purchase your tree here. The smells of the cocoa and the pine needles fill the barn. The crisp mountain air all around. It's all so incredibly perfect. I love watching excitement on the girl's faces as they watch the most perfect tree being tied to the roof of the car, ready to head back down to Philly and eventually when it settles, ready to be decorated. It's all pretty special. We are so glad to have Bennie's be a part of our favorite holiday tradition for the past 9 years and years and years to come. No other place we would ever cut our tree! Cash only and don't forget extra for tip!