Follow The Ronda Family on a Christmas Quest to Find the Perfect Tree

Something has changed in the air and on radio stations across America. Chestnuts are roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost is stepping in for an o-goshi, it’s almost Christmas time at Browsey Acres. But before this sustainable ranch home transforms into tinsel town, Ronda and Travis have to find the perfect tree.

A family meeting precedes everyone piling into the truck and heading to Sand Haven Pines to pick out their “firry” friend. Holidays are steeped in tradition and everyone has their own special ritual. This year will be the start of something new to be carried on for generations.

“What I’d like to do is get a living Christmas tree. That way, every year we’ll use the same Christmas tree but it’ll be growing. It’ll just be a part of the family,” Travis said. “We can plant it when it gets too tall. My mom started off with one that would fit on the counter. She ended up planting it at some Buddhist commune. The thing is like 20 feet tall now. We had it growing up every year.” 

Just like that, a Browsey Acres tradition was born which simultaneously ends a cycle of tree death. The Yuletide zen began as soon as they stumbled upon the most storybook tree you ever did see. This thing was like a kid’s drawing come to life: A pristine and symmetrical green triangle.

“I think this is it. I think we found the tree. This tree,” Ronda said. “Humptree Bogart, TreeHC, Militartree, Countree Livin’.” 

There were many names this tree could have been called, but Travis’ oldest son decided to call it The Giving Tree after the Shel Silverstein book. With the purpose of this tradition in mind, he couldn’t have picked a better choice. The Giving Tree is alive and well on Browsey Acres and so is the spirit of Christmas.  

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