A Seattle Holiday Festival

Hello Friends!

Today I’m joining blogging friends from across the country for the “Spirit of Christmas” neighborhood tour organized by Jennifer from Town and Country Living. Each blogger on the tour is giving you a look at the special way Christmas is celebrated in their neighborhood or city. Isn’t that awesome?  Each stop is linked at the bottom of this post.

This past weekend my daughter Sadie and I made our yearly visit to the Reindeer Festival at Swansons, our neighborhood garden center here in Seattle.  It’s a fun family event with reindeer, holiday decor, fresh Christmas greens and florals, gorgeous Christmas trees, a holiday train, and more. I’m sharing it all with you today along with some tips on caring for your poinsettias and fresh cut Christmas trees.

Dasher and Blitzen

Meet Dasher and Blitzen, the stars of the show! It wouldn’t be a Reindeer Festival without reindeer, right?

Reindeer Fun Facts

• Reindeer are semi-domesticated caribou.
• Males, females and calves all produce antlers.
• Reindeer eat their antlers after they shed them – they make a healthy meal!
• Reindeer prefer eating snow over drinking water.

Just look at that beautiful face.

A Holiday Train

The holiday train is so popular with the little ones.

Christmas Decor Galore

Inside the greenhouse is a large selection of lovely Christmas decor. There’s something for everyone.

Fresh Cut Christmas Trees

The greenhouse smells so fresh and wonderful filled with all of the beautiful Christmas trees.

My favorite trees are the noble firs with their lush gray green color.

Cut Christmas Tree Care Tips

• Once cut, get your tree into water as soon as possible!
• If you can’t get it into water quickly, give it another fresh cut at home.
• Don’t let the water level drop below the cut end or it will seal off and dry out quickly.
• Check the water level daily.
• A fresh cut tree may not take up water for a day or two, but continue to check the water level each day and keep the level above the cut end.

Check out this crazy tree called a Monkey Puzzle tree.  They get huge here in Seattle, and they look like something out of Dr. Seuss!

Fresh Florals and Holiday Greens

I love Paperwhites at Christmastime, and I’m apparently one of the rare people who loves the scent.  I’m the only one in my family who doesn’t think they stink, lol!

I picked up a large bunch of these beautiful red Ilex berries.  You can see how I styled them in my kitchen here.

The fresh cedar garland is sold by the foot, and it is so lush and full.  I used about 15 feet to drape loosely around my banister.

Sadie was a good sport about modeling this gorgeous wreath.

Poinsettias

Another greenhouse is filled with poinsettias in white, pink and red.

Poinsettia Pointers

• Give your poinsettia 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Keep in a warm location.
• Mist leaves regularly.
• No need to fertilize during the flowering (winter) period.

Thank you for joining me today at my neighborhood holiday festival! Be sure to check out all of the stops linked below.

Happy Holidays!

Susan

 

 

MONDAY

Town and Country Living / My Sweet Savannah / Finding Silver Pennies

 

Hymns and Verses / Duke Manor Farm

TUESDAY

Saw Nail and Paint / It All Started with Paint / Maison de Cinq / Southern Hospitality