Saturday, December 12, 2020
12:00 PM  2:00 PM

Seasons Greetings! In Eliza Jumel’s lifetime, people decorated their homes for the Christmas holiday season with hand-made ornaments. This second Saturday, come to Morris-Jumel Mansion to pick up your family holiday decorations activity kit and make festive ornaments at home!
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Admission to the Mansion is free for all ages every second Saturday for Con Edison Family Day.

When: Thursday, 12/10 (2:30 – 3:15 PM)
Venue: Anacostia Community Museum
Event Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Register in advance for the Zoom link.

The Anacosta Community Museum's Brian Barber walks families through the seven principles of Kwanzaa and shares a hands-on craft using easy-to-find materials.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that celebrates African and African American culture and history, introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 in the United States.

Celebrate your favorite winter holiday December in Washington Square online. The Washington Square Association offers two chances to celebrate and sing yuletide carols virtually online to keep the crowds minimal.

On Wednesday, December 9th at 6 pm, the sparkling lights on the resplendent tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings. We are looking for a partner to stream the lighting online and details are forthcoming.

Christmas Tree Farms in New Jersey

1. Barclay's Tree Farm – Cranbury
2020 update: All visitors must wear masks and practice social distancing. Dogs on leashes are allowed.
35 Orchardside Drive
609-799-1855
About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan

This family-run, decades-old Christmas tree farm offers five varieties of cut-your-own arbors. Any tree up to 12 feet tall is $65. Trees over 12 feet are $120. Saws are provided, and the staff helps secure the tree to your car for the trip home. Barclay's also sells wreaths, tree stands, watering elves, tree removal bags, and local honey. The farm is open on Black Friday and weekends through Christmas, from 9am-4:30pm. Cash or check only.

2. Simonson Farms – Cranbury
2020 update: All visitors must wear face masks where social distancing cannot be maintained. Wagon rides are limited to 50% capacity, and preference is given to those who are disabled or have mobility issues.
260 Dey Road or 120 Cranbury Neck Road
609-799-0140
About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan

​Simonson offers thousands of cut-your-own trees on two lots spanning more than 50 acres. Trees range from $50 to $90, depending on height. Fraser firs are not available this year, nor are large trees. The Dey Road outpost accepts cash or pre-payment with a credit card at the retail lot. The Cranbury Neck Road outpost accepts cash and credit card. Both locations are open on Black Friday, and on weekends, from 9am-6pm. Weekday hours are subject to weather; call ahead.

3. The Evergreen Farm – Lebanon
2020 update: Guests are asked to maintain social distancing. Pets on leashes are allowed. Complimentary cider and snacks will not be offered this season.
4 Bass Lane
908-236-9550
About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan

This family-run farm offers a variety of trees. Trees cost $10 per foot, including all of the extras—cutting, baling, drilling a hole at the bottom, and tying it to your car. The Evergreen Farm opened for the season on Saturday, November 21, and remains open on weekends through Sunday, December 20, from 10am-5pm. All forms of payment are accepted.

4. Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm & Shop – Manalapan
2020 update: All visitors must wear a face mask and practice social distancing. The store is limiting the number of guests inside at any one time.
114 Daum Road
732-786-9277
About 1 hour by car from Midtown Manhattan

This 100-acre Christmas tree farm offers several varieties of cut-your-own trees along with a holiday shop that has thousands of unique holiday decor items. Tree prices start at $70 and increase depending on the size. Anne Ellen Tree Christmas Tree Farm is open daily through Wednesday, December 23, from 9am-8pm.

5. Cherryville Farms – Pittstown
2020 update: Guests must wear masks and practice social distancing. The farm is not offering wagon rides this year.
352 Quakertown Road
908-806-4580
Just over an hour from Midtown Manhattan

This family-run farm offers five varieties of cut-your-own trees. The friendly staff helps you as much as you want, from sawing to hauling the tree to your car. Trees cost about $10 per foot, and there's a gift shop on-site. If kids find one of the hidden elves, they'll win a candy cane prize. Free hot chocolate is doled out with every tree purchase. The farm is open Black Friday and on weekends through Christmas, or until its stock sells out, 9am-4:30pm. Cash or check only. Only service dogs are allowed. The farm has a strict photography policy in place that prohibits any staged photo shoots.

​Opening weekend dates:
November 29 7am-9pm
November 30 8am-9pm
December 1 10am-9pm

Make a reservation online beginning November 25 

*One appointment per customer
* The experience is free and open to the public!

The day after Thanksgiving is a great day for Christmas lights; why not bring a classic New England tree lighting into your home for inspiration? At a time when real travel is hard, travel virtually to Nantucket, for a traditional launch of the holiday season.

Nantucket's annual tree lighting is being held virtually, so residents and visitors can light their own trees along at home at the same time.