Happy Christmas, from The Rocks Estate!

From all of us at The Rocks Estate ~ We wish you a very Happy Christmas!

Thanks to all who visited the farm this season or ordered a tree, wreath, or other great items from our online shop. And for you late shoppers, The Rocks will be open through Christmas Eve – so if you haven’t found a beautiful farm fresh Christmas tree yet, c’mon over!

If you’ve already trimmed your tree and are wondering how to get a Rocks Estate fix during the rest of the year, we invite you to visit our New Hampshire Maple Experience at The Rocks, including an interactive museum and a working sugar house. We run Maple Tours in the early weeks of spring, but the Maple Experience museum is open to self-guided tours year-round.

We also have several trails at The Rocks, which are open for meandering and exploration daily. Our new Rocks Mobile Tour allows visitors to use their smart phones to learn more about The Rocks’ history and the property’s current role as the North Country Conservation & Education Center for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

So, there’s plenty to explore at The Rocks during the New Year!

Happy holidays!

Keeping your Rocks Estate Christmas tree farm fresh

Once you’ve selected your farm fresh Christmas tree from The Rocks Estate, there are a few things you can do to keep it fresh and fragrant through the holidays. When a Christmas tree is cut, more than half its weight is water, so much of keeping your tree happy involves making sure it’s able to take in the water it needs. Here are some tips from The Rocks for keeping your Christmas tree farm fresh!

* Before you set your tree up, cut the bottom ½-inch from the trunk. Then place your Christmas tree in water.

* Make sure your tree stand is the right size for your tree – and that it can hold plenty of water in the reservoir. Christmas tree stands should provide a quart of water per inch of stem diameter. (You’ll find Christmas tree stands, watering spouts, and other great accessories at the farm or The Rocks' online shop.) * Check the water level regularly to ensure the base of the tree is submerged.

* Keep your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators to prevent excessive drying.

* Use Christmas tree lights that produce only low heat to prevent drying. Lights should be inspected prior to use and replaced if they are worn. And they should always be turned off when you’re leaving the house or going to bed!

* When you’re ready to bid adieu to your Christmas tree after the holidays, check with your local transfer station on recycling options. Christmas trees should never be burned in a wood stove or fireplace, as they create creosote and can lead to a chimney fire.

For more tips on keeping your tree farm fresh, visit the New Hampshire Christmas Tree’s tree care page.

Mail order, music, magic and more Christmas!

We’re in the full swing of the holiday season at The Rocks Estate

and hope you’ll join us for some fabulously festive fun! From horse-drawn wagon rides and roasted marshmallows to one-of-a-kind gifts and – of course – the most beautiful farm fresh Christmas trees, we have everything you need to get into the holiday spirit.

If you can’t quite make it to the farm to select a tree from our retail lot or choose-and-cut one from our fields, we invite you to visit our online gift shop, where you may order fresh, fragrant Christmas trees, handmade wreaths, ornaments, gifts – everything you need for the holidays! To ensure holiday delivery, Christmas trees should be ordered by December 15^th.

Those who visit us at The Rocks will find plenty to keep them busy and entertained – on the farm and off. A sampling of holiday happenings in Bethlehem includes the Annual Cookie Walk at The Gallery at WREN (yum!) on December 10^th, The Magic of Christmas magic show at the Bethlehem Public Library at noon December 10^th, a guided Full Moon Snowshoe tour at the Adair Country Inn at 5:30 p.m. December 11^th, and Adair’s annual Christmas concert December 17^th. The Inns and Arts Tour of the North Country, featuring the works of local artists and receptions at area inns, runs through December 10^th.

We hope to see you soon ~ and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!