By Kate Lohnes

Ahh, the holidays: a source of inspiration for the creative or extra stress for the over-tasked.

When it comes to the season, everyone plans in their own way. Maybe you’re the Martha Stewart of the Yuletide, with bountiful ideas (and time) to create a homemade Christmas. Or maybe you are so busy the convenience of pre-made food and décor takes precedence over craftiness.

Whatever your comfort zone, Upper Arlington Magazine knows how to help you plan. From Christmas trees to outdoor lights to your holiday meal, we’ve got the suggestions for every effort level. Our goal is simple: to make your holiday season as festive – and stress-free – as possible.

Trees, Please
At these Ohio tree farms, the aspiring lumberjack may cut his or her conifer of choice:
Fly-A-Way Farm, 1950 Lackey-Old State Rd., Delaware, 740-548-7355, www.flyawaytree.com  
Cackler Family Farms, 4971 Cackler Rd., Delaware, 740-524-5311, www.cacklerfamilyfarms.com
Whiteside Evergreens, 18875 Boerger Rd., Marysville, 937-642-5197
Black Forest Pines, 3527 Johnstown Utica Rd., Johnstown, 614-855-1146
Messerall Tree Farm, 4488 Hardscrabble Rd., Alexandria, 740-924-8495
Timbuk Farms, 2030 Timbuk Rd., Granville, 740-587-2178, www.timbukfarms.com  

An extra tip: Find more tree farm locations at www.ohiochristmastree.com. Many farms locally and around the state make the tree hunt a total family experience, with petting zoos, homemade cookies and beverages, sleigh rides and more.

Would you rather leave the chopping to Paul Bunyan? Tree farms also have pre-cut trees available. You can also check out these locales in the Upper Arlington area:
The Boy Scouts of America Troop 555 in Upper Arlington and Troop 73 in Grandview both run a Christmas tree sale and fundraiser out of their respective neighborhoods starting the week after Thanksgiving. Troop 555 will set up shop at Tremont Center, while Troop 73 will sell trees on Dublin Road in Grandview at the Midas Muffler Shop parking lot. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the troops and their activities for the year. For more information on Troop 555’s sale, call 614-459-5587 or visit www.ua555.com. For more information on Troop 73’s sale, call 614-488-5457.
Strader’s Garden Centers, 5350 Riverside Dr., 614-889-1314, or 1354 King Avenue, 614-486-2626, www.straders.net. Strader’s will start setting up and selling trees around Thanksgiving.
Lowe’s, 3600 Park Mill Run Dr., Hilliard, 614-529-5900, www.lowes.com. Lowe’s will begin selling trees at the beginning of November. They will also have live garlands, wreaths and other decorative items.
Home Depot, 4102 Trueman Blvd., Hilliard, 614-876-5558, www.homedepot.com. Home Depot’s lawn and garden department will sell spruce, Scotch pine, white pine and other tree types starting around Thanksgiving.

For minimal fuss, why decorate a tree when you can go see someone else’s? At the UA Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 5, you and yours can be a part of the tree lighting ceremony while enjoying carriage rides, music and other fun activities. The festivities start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. Call 614-583-5300 to find out more.

Turkey Talk
You’ve got cooking the bird down to a science. Get your fresh and/or frozen turkey at one of these area stores:
Fresh Market, 1920 Henderson Rd., 614-326-1370, www.thefreshmarket.com
Huffman’s Market, 2140 Tremont Ctr., 614-486-5336, www.huffmansmarket.com  
Hills Market, 7860 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, 614-846-3225, www.thehillsmarket.typepad.com

If you’re not gifted in the kitchen or you don’t have time to cook, your guests don’t need to know. Have someone prepare the poultry for you at:
Fresh Market, 1920 Henderson Rd., 614-326-1370, www.thefreshmarket.com. Fresh Market not only sells fresh turkeys, but also has pre-cooked turkeys and side items available for order through the deli (as a meal or a la carte). Re-heat the turkey at home and you’re ready to go. Call 614-326-1370 for more information.
Huffman’s Market, 2140 Tremont Ctr., 614-486-5336, www.huffmansmarket.com. Huffman’s will customize your complete Thanksgiving meal, with pre-cooked turkeys, mashed potatoes, yams and whatever your palate might fancy. Place your order before Nov. 17.
Kroger, 1955 Henderson Rd., 614-457-1825, www.kroger.com. Kroger offers Thanksgiving spreads of various sizes with turkey and all the fixings. The 12-pound bird is completely cooked — all you need to do is re-heat it.
Carfagna’s, 1405 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus. Carfagna’s not only sells fresh meats and turkeys, but it also takes orders for complete Thanksgiving meals. The package, which feeds eight to 10 people, includes mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, vegetables and more. Call 614-846-6340 or visit www.carfagnas.com.

Winter Wonderland
You and your family love to deck your own halls. For the home’s exterior, get inventive with ideas from the following Web sites:
www.planetchristmas.com. Instructions on creating trees made from lights, how to decorate shrubs and bushes and more. Also features an online store.
www.christmaslightsanddecorations.com. Suggestions for untangling lights, different decoration trends and other gems.

An extra tip: Consider investing in LED lights this year. Different from traditional incandescent lights, LEDs are the more eco-friendly choice for lighting your home because they use less energy. You can find LED lights at local hardware stores, supermarkets or online.

If you’d rather let someone else worry about climbing ladders, several companies in the Columbus area will decorate your home for you. Check out:
Dean Nida & Associates, 1794 Coventry Rd., Columbus, 800-761-6432, www.deannida.com  
Light Before Christmas, 1400 Walcutt Rd., 614-335-1000, www.lightbeforechristmas.com

Ready, Set, Shop!
For the super shopper, supporting local businesses not only keeps your dollars in the area, but also offers unique gift ideas for family and friends. Try these retailers for great gift ideas:
Larson’s Toys and Games, 1617 W. Lane Ave., The Shops at Lane Avenue, 614-486-7701, www.larsonstoys.com. From dolls to science kits, educational and fun toys for kids of all ages.
What on Earth, 1727 W. Lane Ave., The Shops at Lane Avenue, 614-487-0338. Find jewelry, interior décor and more made from natural materials (including precious and semi-precious gems).
The Tortoise Shell, 2068 Arlington Ave., 614-486-0404, www.thetortoiseshell.net. Gifts for him and her, with wide selections of Vera Bradley items and Hadley Pottery.
Chuck and Barb’s Baseball Cards, 2158 Tremont Ctr., 614-486-6387, www.tremontcenter.com. More than just a baseball card haven, find other collectible items like Beanie Babies and sports memorabilia.
Fireflies and Fairytales, 2132 Arlington Ave., 614-487-7885. A boutique clothing and accessories shop for young children, with toys, crib items, strollers and other items.

An extra tip: There are many more local stores to be found in Upper Arlington. Find out more at www.uasupersite.com.

If you’d rather shop from the convenience of your computer desk, log on to these worldwide Web sites for unique gifts:
www.bluefly.com. For designer clothes and accessories.
www.etsy.com. For handmade clothes, jewelry, artwork, furniture and more.
www.mcphee.com. For strange and unique toys and novelties.
www.uncommongoods.com. For unique accessories and gifts for all ages.

Quick Calendar
Even the most organized holiday planners need helpful reminders. Here are the dates you’ll want to remember:

Nov. 4: Election Day
Nov. 23-Dec. 16: “Dear Santa” Mailbox, Reed Road Park entrance (by the fire station). Get kids into the spirit and “mail” letters to Old St. Nick. Be sure to include a stamp so Santa can write back.
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 28: Black Friday. Die-hard shoppers will get up super early to hit the sales throughout the area. Visit www.blackfriday.info or www.fatwallet.com to check out where the best deals are going to be.
Dec. 5: UA Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Mallway Park, Arlington Avenue, 614-583-5300
Dec. 7-10: Christmas in the Park, Thompson Park, 614-470-0655. Call for reservations.
Dec. 21: Hanukkah begins at sundown.
Dec. 25: Merry Christmas!
Dec. 26: Celebrate Kwanzaa today.
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve. Get started on those resolutions, it’s almost 2009.

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor of Upper Arlington Magazine.


How have your family’s holidays changed over the years? Have you started any new traditions? Do you have any favorite holiday moments? Send us your favorite holiday pictures at klohnes@pubgroupltd.com: you might be featured in a future issue of Upper Arlington Magazine.