A very B.C. Christmas

Located four kilometres from Fort Langley, the Dogwood Christmas Tree Farm boasts 18 acres of Douglas, Fraser, Noble and Grand fir trees, as well as a good selection of blue spruce. Visitors are greeted by owners Lynn and Gary Sawatsky and a cast of characters, including cut-out Santas and a talking reindeer.

"There aren't many places you can go these days for a nice, long walk in the country," says Lynn. "It sure beats going to a tree lot in the city."

Picking your own tree doesn't feel like work, but instead becomes a family project. "We find a lot of lost single gloves," says Lynn. "People mark the trees they like-usually with their kids' mitts-and then promptly get lost or distracted by the beauty of it all."

After dragging the tree back to the farmhouse, families stand it up to measure it, then tie it with twine to the roof of the car for the trip home. Before heading out, visitors drink cocoa by the campfire while classic carols—by Nat, Bing and Dean—play in the background.

Back in town, the Fort Langley Community Centre—that hard-to-miss lemon yellow and white Georgian Revival confection at the end of Glover Road—is the undisputed hub of holiday festivities. Each year, it plays host to a Christmas ball on its horsehair-sprung wooden dance floor (last year it was the Dickensian Fezziwig Ball). The Centre is also the site of the Artisan Craft Fair, featuring handwoven shawls, scarves, sweaters and a breathtaking range of blankets and wall hangings. The hall will even make its big screen debut this November in a holiday flick, A Christmas Cottage, based loosely on the life of the painter Thomas Kinkade, and starring Peter O'Toole and Marcia Gay Harden.

But the undisputed highlight of the season is the lighting ceremony of the sky-scraping Douglas fir set up in front of the community hall, with a schedule that includes a band and a selection of local mulled wines, hot apple cider and cocoa. When the mayor flicks the switch, Fort Langley's stately centrepiece will shimmer more brightly than the Milky Way. Happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!

Holiday hint
Dogwood Christmas Tree Farm has a variety of trees. Drag your pick to the farmhouse, measure, then tie with twine to the roof of your car. Mission accomplished.