‘Tis the season for tinsel and tree trimming, with Brenda Lee’s holiday classic “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” blasting in the background. But where should you get your tree? Sure, you can stop by your nearest home improvement store or a red-and-white marquee tent along the side of the highway, or … Santa forbid … grab a fake, pre-lit tree at your local craft store, but where’s the fun in that? This year, try it the new, old-fashioned way, and chop down your own.

We’ve rounded up five Christmas tree farms in the Greater Houston area where you can do just that. 

High Star Christmas Tree Farm

This family-owned farm opened its doors to the public in 1997 and has been serving Houstonians and surrounding areas ever since. And yeah, we don’t have tons of snow and mountains along the Gulf Coast, but High Star does its best to re-create the feeling. With haystacks, a maze, and wagon rides, families can make a day out of hand-selecting their own Christmas tree. The 20-acre farm sells Texas-grown Virginia pines and fresh, pre-cut firs, starting at $28 and increasing depending on size of the tree. 

High Star is open noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. 19020 Becker Rd, Hockley

Old Time Christmas Tree Farm

Despite starting out as a peanut, cotton, and hay farm for more than a century,  the family-owned business transitioned to bringing the holiday cheer through Christmas trees in 1996. The 40-acre farm offers four types of trees: Pine and Cypress, which you can chop down yourself, and pre-cut Fraser Fir and Black Hill Spruce. All pre-cut trees are displayed in water to remain fresh; prices start at $89 and increase depending on size and type. Really, the better (and more fun) deal is opting to cut your own tree, as Pine and Cypress trees start at $69. 

Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through December 20. 7632 Spring Cypress Rd, Spring

Dewberry Farm

At this Brookshire farm, you can take a wagon ride or the Dewville Express Train to the “forest," where you can choose to cut down your own tree or have one cut for you. Entry to the farm is free, but guests must arrive before the last wagon ride to the tree farm at 5 p.m.—that’ll give you an hour before the processing areas close at 6 p.m. Currently the farm is selling two types of trees, Leylands and Murrays, ranging from four to 12 feet tall and individually priced from $30 to $220. 

Open Saturdays and Sundays through December 13. FM 362 & Morrison Rd, Brookshire

Holiday Acres

Open through December 12 for tree cutting, Holiday Acres will take you on a hayride to look for your tree while treating you to a complimentary cup of hot chocolate or mulled cider. Guests can choose from Virginia Pine, Leyland Cypress, Murray Cypress, and Arizona Cypress. Don’t have an axe? Holiday Acres fresh Fraser Firs from Michigan are a pre-cut option, beginning at $75. For self-cut trees, prices start at $48.

The farm is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and it’s only open on Sundays for reserved photo sessions. 8919 Mustang Bayou Rd, Manvel 

Double Creek Farm

Last, but not least, is Double Creek Farm, offering family-friendly fun since 2007 in the way of hayrides, a hay jump, a fort, a playhouse, and a jungle gym for kids, and the reason you’re really there: A hayride to the fields, where you’ll be given a saw, measuring stick, and tree tag. After that, you know what to do. 

Trees range from five to 14 feet, including Virginia pines and pre-cut options like firs, spruces, and pines from Michigan. You’ll pay for your tannenbaum, from $40 to $154, at the gift shop;. Think that’s too expensive? Double Creek offers special, marked-down “Charlie Brown” trees, too. 

The farm is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1–5 p.m. Sundays through December 13. 1288 Oakdale Loop, Livingston