The car door opens and out tumbles the family, swaddled in over-sized coats, scarves and mittens. The children race into the forest of regularly spaced trees, with muffled footsteps and the crunch of compacting new-fallen snow. “How about this one?” a young voice shouts. “Too short.” is the reply. “Here! This is it. Whatdaya think about THIS one?” “Wellll...If it weren't for that flat spot on the side there. Keep looking.” Then finally. “Perfect! We found it. Bring the ax.” The sounds of chopping wood, dragging the tree back to the payment stand. The kids tossing back Styrofoam cups of hot chocolate. The tree is loaded atop the car, the family piles back inside, and chalk up another success in the perennial hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree.
This relic of bygone days is now available for you to experience in Second Life. Tex's Tree Farm is a one of a kind unique experience you will only find in SL. This is a true family role play Christmas Tree Farm where you can pick and cut down your tree and take it home with you and your family.
Bundle up and bring the loved ones. Stop by the Deer Ridge Cafe to grab a hot chocolate while breezing through the Tree farm to pick your favorite tree. Grab an ax, pick an empty tree behind the demo tree you like then chop it down. Once it has fallen, pay for the tree and accept into your inventory. All the trees come fully decorated with a menu that allows you to pick and choose which decoration you and your family like. Then add your own special Christmas touch with those special ornaments. Once you have picked your Christmas Tree, head on over to Under the Christmas Tree to thaw out and grab those toys and special gifts. More home decor and trees to choose from as well.
Make this a family tradition you’ll cherish for years. Head down to Tex's Tree Farm for a family experience you will never forget.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Tex and Summer Humby at Tex’s Tree Farm as they were busy gearing up for the Holiday Season - unpacking boxes of ornaments, sharpening axes, and shoveling snow off the walkways and parking lots. I was able to get them to slow down long enough to answer a few questions.
Josh Bellic (JB): Tex? Tell me a little about Tex's Tree Farm. How many years has this been in operation?
Tex Humby (TH): My wife and I actually meet at a Christmas sim five years ago. We have been inseparable ever since. Tex's Tree farm has been in operation for four years now. It started off with just display trees that were decorations for the Christmas shop. I am the builder and Summer is the decorator. Last year we started to build on the idea of having an original RP where anyone could come and chop down their own tree with an ax, just like you would in RL. We perfected the concept this year. Now anyone can pick a decorated tree they like, grab an ax and physically chop it down. Once the tree has fallen, you pay for the tree and it goes into your inventory. Nothing else like it in SL
JB: Whatever inspired you to do this in SL? Was this process part of your own Family Tradition?
TH: Cutting down our own Christmas tree was something we always did. Every year our family would bundle up and make our way to the farm. We would pick out the perfect tree each year and my Dad would chop it down and we would bring it home to decorate. It was one of my favorite memories as a child. Today we buy a real tree from a vendor as those long ago tree farms are almost non existent. We wanted to bring our old family tradition back into SL.
JB: Do you build all the tree options yourself?
TH: We decorate each tree with a rezzer concept. Now you can not only cut your own tree down but touch to get a menu to build on that tree with the decorations you want. You have an option to choose which of those decorations on that tree you would like to rez, and leave room for your own decorations as well. Summer comes up with such original ideas with adding more and more to each tree as the years go by. Now with the new rezzer concept she has extended those trees to include things like the candy shelf and toy sleigh. I love what she comes up with and can't wait to see each tree once she is done.
JB: Will Tex’s Tree Farm be operated only seasonally, or do you plan to keep it open year-round?
TH: We are open year round for anyone wishing to visit a Christmas location throughout the year. We add new trees every year and build the farm up. Next year will have have even more and it will only get bigger as the Farm has really taken off here in SL and people contact us every year asking if we will open the Farm or if the Farm will be open as they love to come back each year with their loved ones and experience the Tree Farm.
JB: What else would you like our readers to know about either the tree farm, or the gift shop?
TH: We would love for everyone to know that our location has so much to offer. Tex's Tree Farm experience go hand-in-hand with the shop. We built the Deer Ridge Cafe to let everyone stop and enjoy a family lunch before heading to the Tree Farm to cut your own tree. Once you have your tree, head over to Under the Tree Christmas shop for all of your Christmas Decor needs. The first floor is dedicated to Christmas gachas and the 2nd floor to non-gacha items. We also have Georgia's Pet Adoption Center named after our third child who loves animals. The cabin is filled with gacha animals of all kinds that you can adopt and take home.
We also have The Magical Menagerie which is a Harry Potter Themed shop chalked full of magical creatures and all things magical. We built this for our second oldest daughter who loves the odd things of the world.
Last but not least we do have cabin rentals that have the cozy feel of winter with our multiple scene indoor decor options. They are the best cozy little cabins and cottages in SL that is snow year round for those that enjoy the feel of winter every day of the year.
So there you have it Folks. As you put together your list of Christmas activities this Holiday season, be sure it starts with a visit to Tex’s Tree Farm, for a memorable experience the entire family will enjoy.
Posts
