BALLINGER, Texas — With the cost of trees rising and the number of trees decreasing in recent years, going out to find the right tree may feel like a thing of the past. Yet, one marketplace in Ballinger is looking to put the joy back in Christmas tree shopping.
Old Town Old Times aims to bring families together, with the tradition of picking out your tree for the holiday season, to West Texas. Owners Jonathan Smith and Kellie Book routinely give their marketplace a makeover with every season, keeping all of what they do, local.
"There are not that many traditional Christmas tree places anymore where you can go pick your Christmas tree out. It has become such a big box store market. When I was raised we went and picked our trees so you got to go through and look around the tree and pick the perfect one and that's the experience I wanted to bring," Smith said.
At this Ballinger staple, there are five different types of Christmas trees to choose from. It is an experience Smith said he remembers vividly as a child and he takes pride in knowing that whenever someone buys a tree from them, he has the chance to give the youth that same experience he cherishes so much.
"To see these kids' faces, to see them say to themselves, wow I have never seen that before, it makes me so happy. It is special," Smith said.
No matter the size of the tree, Smith says it costs $59 to take your hand picked Fir home. Smith, Book and those at the store ensure your tree is healthy and preserved properly before you take it home by keeping it hydrated, trimmed, and tied up before it is in your car.
Affordability and ambiance are something Smith believes add to the tradition of picking out the right tree. During the Christmas season, the farm is decorated from top to bottom with lights, Christmas music, and it also includes visits from Santa on the weekends.
All of these aspects are aimed to bring families together and begin making broad traditions their own.
"We built this from the ground up, and it makes all of it worth it when we see families walk into this place (Old Town Old Times). Every time someone comes here, whether they buy something or not, we are a part of their Christmas (that year) and that makes all of this worth it," Smith said.
You can find Old Town Old Times off of US-67 N in Ballinger where they are open seven days a week.
