There are approximately one billion places you can take the kids to see Santa Claus at Christmastime, and it's all pretty much the same routine, much like that famous scene in "A ‪Christmas Story‬". You and the kids wait in a mind-numbingly long line with other exhausted families, your kids ask, "How much longer? How much longer NOW?!?" They finally arrive at a display decorated with cotton and glitter to make it look like the North Pole/Santa's Workshop.

And then they finally get to see Santa. They sit on his lap and he asks them if they've been a good boy/girl. Your kids of course say yes. He asks them what they want for Christmas, and they rattle off a list that will put you in debt over the next two years. Santa laughs a hearty "Ho Ho Ho!", hands them a tiny candy cane and sends them on their way.

OK, perhaps we're exaggerating a bit! However, it is true that the whole experience of the holidays can become a bit stressful and overwhelming. In today's blog post, we want to review a gem in our local community that brings back the good old days and offers some serious family fun this holiday season!

A Local Gem That Provides A Family Escape This Holiday Season

If you want an escape this holiday season, Smith Family Farms is the answer. While the farm does have many of the same Santa traditions, it's also incredibly unique. First of all, you can get your family's fresh Christmas tree, wreaths and garlands on the lot. There is also a wonderful little country store where you can get unique old-fashioned gifts, toys, and candy, plus get some popcorn and low-cost hot cocoa, coffee or tea to warm your bones.

And Santa's in a barn decorated with themes such as Mrs. Claus's Bakeshop, Reindeer Flight Training Academy, Santa's Vacation House and Snowman Wonderland. You don't feel rushed when you visit St. Nick. And you are free to take pictures of your children without having to sign a 10-page liability waiver, NDA, and limited copyright clause. It's just Santa Claus.

Unlike the trees you will find in grocery store parking lots or other Christmas tree lots, the Noble and Douglas firs at Smith Family Farms are freshly-cut at the farm. Christmas trees from Smith Family Farms truly feature that wonderful fresh pine fragrance we all enjoy during the holiday season. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you find the tree that's best for you, will help pack and load it for you, and give you tips on how to keep your tree fresh. (Note: They can't help you with getting the tree through your doorway. That's still all on you.)
 
Be sure to dress warm, including gloves, and wear comfortable shoes. You're going to want to spend some time there.
 
If you want to experience or recapture the crisp freshness and wonderment of the season, Smith Family Farms is the place to be.
 
Smith Family Farms is located at ‪4430 Sellers Avenue‬ Knightsen. ‪925-625-5966
facebook.com/smithfamilyfarms, @SFFBrentwood, https://jkdevera2.wixsite.com/smithfamilyfarm/

From now ‪until December 18‬, the tree lot is open ‪10 a.m.-7 p.m.‬ weekdays, ‪9 a.m.-7 p.m.‬ weekends.
Santa's Hours are ‪11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.‬ and ‪2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.‬

Self Storage For Holiday Decorations

Being a self storage facility, we also wanted to share our love of holiday decorations! This year, as you decorate with old and new decorations, you may want to consider self storage as a great way to store everything when the season winds down. Self Storage can make an incredible home for your growing collection of Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, and other decorations!

Those who have a particularly large collection of decorations may want to install shelving into their storage unit. (It's easy to install simple plastic or metal shelves that can be purchased at many of your favorite home and hardware stores. Also, storing decorations in different color boxes by holiday can be an incredible time-saver as you rotate through the various holidays of each year. An upfront investment in organization can go long way in your year-round enjoyment of decorating for each and every holiday.

Happy Holidays From Cypress Self Storage

On behalf of our entire team at Cypress Self Storage, we wish you an incredible Christmas and Holiday Season. We also wish you a Happy New Year! Currently under construction, we are Oakley's newest self storage facility and will open our doors in 2019. We cannot wait to serve our amazing community in 2019 and beyond! Sending all our best to you and your family!