By Kate Lohnes

Let’s face it: when it comes to the holiday season, everyone plans in their own way.

Some people kick into Martha Stewart mode when fall begins, decorating and baking their way to a homemade holiday. No less common are those who revel in pre-made food and one-step decorations, opting for convenience over craftiness.

Maybe you fall into one of these camps. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between.

Whatever your comfort zone, Westerville Magazine knows how to help you plan. From Christmas trees to house décor to your holiday meal, we’ve got the suggestions for every effort level. Our goal is simple: to make your holiday season as festive – and stress-free – as possible.

Trees, Please
At these Ohio tree farms, the aspiring lumberjack may cut his or her conifer of choice:
AlumPolaris Christmas Tree Farm, 6520 Bale-Kenyon Rd., Lewis Center, 740-548-7923, http://alumpolaris.bravehost.com/
Black Forest Pines, 3527 Johnstown Utica Rd., Johnstown, 614-855-1146
Cackler Family Farms, 4971 Cackler Rd., Delaware, 740-524-5311, www.cacklerfamilyfarms.com  
Fly-A-Way Farm, 1950 Lackey-Old State Rd., Delaware, 740-548-7355, www.flyawaytree.com
Mr. Tree Farm, 1099 Reynoldsburg-New Albany Rd., Reynoldsburg, 614-577-0081, www.mrtreefarm.com  
An extra tip: Find more tree farm locations at www.ohiochristmastree.com. Many farms locally and around the state make the tree hunt a total family experience, with petting zoos, homemade cookies and beverages, sleigh rides and more.

Would you rather leave the chopping to Paul Bunyan? Tree farms also have pre-cut trees available. You can also check out these locales in Westerville:
Ciminello’s Garden Center, 567 Lazelle Rd., 614-885-3779, www.ciminellos.com. Ciminello’s sells various types of firs, spruces and pine, as well as wreaths, garlands, poinsettias and more. They also set up a location at the corner of Shrock and Cooper Roads (near Westerville Golf Center). Tree sales begin the day after Thanksgiving.
Home Depot, 6017 Maxtown Rd., 614-794-3651, www.homedepot.com  
Home Depot’s lawn and garden department will sell spruce, Scotch pine, white pine and other tree types starting around Thanksgiving.

For minimal fuss, why decorate a tree when you can go see someone else’s? The City of Westerville will host its Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Municipal Building Courtyard, 21 S. State St. You can also check out the tree and other decorations at the Hanby Christmas Open House Dec. 2, 6 and 7 at the Hanby House Museum, 160 W. Main St. The open house will feature decorations, refreshments, music and a sing-along. For more information, call 614-891-6289 or visit www.ohiohistory.org.

Turkey Talk
You’ve got cooking the bird down to a science. Get your fresh and/or frozen turkey at one of these area vendors:
Giant Eagle, 650 N. State St., 614-865-0357, www.gianteagle.com  
Meijer, 100 Polaris Pkwy., 614-865-2000, www.meijer.com
Raisin Rack, 2545 Shrock Rd., 614-882-5886, www.raisinrack.com
Hills Market, 7860 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, 614-846-3225, www.thehillsmarket.typepad.com  

If you’re not gifted in the kitchen or you don’t have time to cook, your guests don’t need to know. Have someone prepare the poultry for you at:
Carfagna’s, 1405 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus. Carfagna’s not only sells fresh meats and turkeys, but it also takes orders for complete Thanksgiving meals. The package, which feeds eight to 10 people, includes mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, vegetables and more. Call 614-846-6340 or visit www.carfagnas.com.
Kroger, 5991 S. Sunbury Rd.; 55 W. Schrock Rd.; 7345 S.R. 3. Besides fresh and frozen birds, Kroger offers two types of Thanksgiving meal spreads: The basic package feeds eight to 10 people, while the complete dinner – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls, cranberry relish and pumpkin pie – feeds 10 to 12. Call the Kroger store nearest you or visit www.kroger.com.

Winter Wonderland
You and your family love to deck your own halls. For the home’s exterior, get inventive with ideas from the following Web sites:
www.planetchristmas.com. Instructions on creating trees made from lights, how to decorate shrubs and bushes and more. Also features an online store.
www.christmaslightsanddecorations.com. Suggestions for untangling lights, different decoration trends and other gems.
An extra tip: Consider investing in LED lights this year. Different from traditional incandescent lights, LEDs are the more eco-friendly choice for lighting your home because they use less energy. You can find LED lights at local hardware stores, supermarkets or online.

If you’d rather let someone else worry about climbing ladders, several companies in the Columbus area will decorate your home for you. Check out:
Dean Nida & Associates, 1794 Coventry Rd., Columbus, 800-761-6432, www.deannida.com  
Light Before Christmas, 1400 Walcutt Rd., 614-335-1000, www.lightbeforechristmas.com  

Ready, Set, Shop!
For the super shopper, supporting the local economy not only keeps your dollars in the area, but you also find unique presents for family and friends. Try these local retailers for great gift ideas:
Checkerberries Dolls, 8 E. Main St., 614-794-3082, www.checkerberries.com. Collectible and play dolls for kids and adults, as well as wooden toys, action figures, and music boxes.
Uptown Cigar Company, 33 N. State St., 614-392-2302, www.uptowncigarcompany.com. Cigar aficionados will love the variety of brands and accessories, from humidors to carrying cases.
Cheryl & Co., corporate headquarters and retail store at 646 McCorkle Blvd., 614-776-1529, www.cherylandco.com. A hometown favorite, get festive arrangements of these delectable cookies for family, friends or co-workers.
Book Harbor, 32 W. College Ave., 614-895-3788, www.book-harbor.com. Find used and rare books, jewelry and other gift items.
Extra tip: There are many more local stores to be found in Westerville. Read about them at www.uptownmerchants.com.

If you’d rather shop from the convenience of your computer desk, log on to these worldwide Web sites for unique gifts:
www.bluefly.com. For designer clothes and accessories.
www.etsy.com. For handmade clothes, jewelry, artwork, furniture and more.
www.mcphee.com. For strange and unique toys and novelties.
www.uncommongoods.com. For unique accessories and gifts for all ages.

Quick Calendar
Even the most organized holiday planners need helpful reminders. Here are the dates you’ll want to remember:

Nov. 4: Election Day
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 28: Black Friday. Die-hard shoppers will get up super early to hit the sales throughout the area. Visit www.blackfriday.info or www.fatwallet.com to check out where the best deals are going to be.
Dec. 5: Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony, 7 p.m., Westerville Municipal Building Courtyard
Dec. 7, Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade, 1 p.m., State Street from Heatherdown Drive to County Line Road
Dec. 14, Westerville Symphony Presents “Sounds of the Season,” 3 p.m., Fritsche Theater at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St.
Dec. 21: Hanukkah begins at sundown.
Dec. 25: Merry Christmas!
Dec. 26: Celebrate Kwanzaa today.
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve. Decide on those resolutions: tomorrow is 2009.

Kate Lohnes is assistant editor of Westerville Magazine.


How have your family’s holidays changed over the years? Have you started any new traditions? Do you have any favorite holiday moments? Send us your favorite holiday pictures at klohnes@pubgroupltd.com: you might be featured in a future issue of Westerville Magazine.