The leaves have fallen and Thanksgiving is upon us. Soon it will be time to kick off the season of lights, carols and evergreens decorated to the hilt. Give yourself the gift of time during the busy holidays and order your tree ahead, or you can even opt to have one delivered. Visit these local sales to buy a tree and help a good cause at the same time.
Clarendon United Methodist Church Annual Tree Sale
Now through Dec. 9
Celebrate the season with the scent of a 6-8 foot Fraser Fir, freshly cut from Oakwood Farm in North Carolina. CUMC has 275 trees available for pre-order or in-person sales, but recommends pre-purchasing online to make sure they have one in the size you want. Show your receipt to a volunteer at the lot and then peruse the options. Volunteers will be on hand to bale the tree and tie it to your car. A 6-7 foot tree is $115 and a 7-8 foot tree is $135. All proceeds from this year’s sale go to New Hope Housing, which provides shelter beds and services to people experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia. Wreaths are for sale in-person only. Pick up trees Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 8 and 9. // 606 N. Irving Street, Arlington (Clarendon)
Merrifield Garden Center
Starts Nov. 18| 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday
After Nov. 29| 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Sunday
Celebrate the annual opening of the nursery’s dazzling Christmas Shop Nov. 21 from 6-9 p.m. with a glass of wine and a festive night of holiday shopping at A Holiday Night Out. The tree options will include Fraser and Turkish firs, white pines, blue spruce, Douglas firs and noble firs, ranging in size from tabletop height to 9 feet ($50-$350+), with a small selection of taller trees (10 feet and up). Enjoy live music throughout the season, and complimentary cookies, popcorn and punch as you shop. The store also sells wreaths, garlands, cut greens, artificial trees, lights and ornaments. It stays open an extra hour each night after Thanksgiving. Kids can enjoy story time and cookies with Santa at the Fair Oaks location. // 8132 Lee Highway, Falls Church; 12101 Route 29, Fairfax
Optimist Club of Arlington Annual Tree Sale
Starts Nov. 29 | 2-8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; Noon-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Now celebrating its 76th year, this sale is the major fundraiser of the Optimist Club, which supports more than 10,000 Arlington youth participating in academic, civic and sports programs. Support activities that keep local kids active and engaged when you choose a Fraser fir from tabletop to 9-feet or a white pine tree, wreath, garland, tree stand or White House Christmas Ornament. All of the trees are freshly cut from a farm in Galax, Virginia. All workers on the lot are community volunteers representing local athletic teams, high school honor societies and the Optimist Club. // Knights of Columbus, 5115 Little Falls Road, Arlington
Boy Scout Troop 162 Christmas Tree Lot
Starts Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. | 4-8 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Troop 162 is celebrating its 50th year of selling Christmas trees, along with wreaths and garlands. Money raised supports the Scout troop’s outdoor program, and subsidizes equipment purchases, registration and camping fees. They accept cash, check or credit card. // 6000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Scout Troop 167 and Mount Olivet United Methodist Church
Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
This local scout troop and church are partnering for their annual three-day Christmas tree sale the weekend after Thanksgiving (or the following weekend, if it rains). Trees come in two sizes: 6-7 feet for $140, or 7-8 feet for $160. Choose from two styles of wreaths for $47. Wreath hangers and tree stands will also be available for sale. Pick your items up at Mount Olivet church or pay an extra $25 for home delivery. Proceeds from the sale support scouting activities for the boys and girls of Troop 167. You can pre-order online here. // 1500 N. Glebe Road, Arlington
Milltown Creek Farms in Lovettsville
Opens Nov. 29 | Noon-5 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Want the freshest tree possible? Cut your own at this 100-acre Christmas tree farm in northwestern Loudoun County (saws and tree carts are provided on site). The family-owned-and-operated farm grows blue, Meyer and white spruce; Douglas and Concolor firs; and Scotch and white pine trees, all of which range in height from tabletop to 8 feet tall. Pre-cut trees are also available, and the farm’s Christmas Shop sells handmade ornaments and tree stands. Find complimentary hot cider and free gifts for the kiddos on weekends. Note that payment is cash or check only. // 38757 Householder Road, Lovettsville
Fairlington United Methodist Men’s Christmas Tree Sale
Starts Dec. 4 | 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
Proceeds from this 40-year-plus charitable tree sale support the church’s mission work, but act fast; organizers don’t expect the inventory to last more than a weekend. This year FUMM will have Pennsylvania-grown Douglas, Concolor and Fraser firs up to 12 feet tall, with prices ranging from $100-$250, depending on size. The sale supports multiple charitable causes, including a security deposit grant program for local renters and ALIVE!, a furniture donation program for people coming out of homelessness. A card attached to each tree lists all of FUMM’s mission work, so buyers can see the good causes their purchase supports. // 3900 King Street, Alexandria
The Lodge – National Landing Pop-Up Christmas Tree Farm
Dec. 7, 1-7 p.m.
From mini to mega, you can find a tree for a small space all the way up to 10 feet tall at this pop-up market in National Landing. It’s just one of the installments in a ski-themed holiday festival at Met Park. Order trees and wreaths in advance through the website and Almost Heavenly Christmas Trees will have your tree at the event for pickup. Bring the whole family and enjoy some apres ski-inspired fun, including live music, food and drink and a holiday market. Kids can enjoy face painting, train rides and selfies with Santa. There’s even a dog bone bar for pups. Pre-register for the free event here. // 1400 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)