Are you looking to find the perfect tree for your holidays this year? In this episode of Monmouth Redefined, I’m going to take you to Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm right here in Manalapan, New Jersey. We’ll meet the farm’s manager, Jack, to learn all about what sets Anne Ellen’s apart from the others.
A One-Of-A-Kind Experience
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm is an amazing holiday attraction for you and your family. I’ve been coming here for years, and it has so much to offer. While this is a Christmas tree farm, it’s not just a place to buy trees: it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
Here at the farm, there is so much you can do. You can pick out a pre-cut tree or choose to cut down your own. You can also enjoy shopping for ornaments, wreaths, and thousands of unique holiday items and also have photos taken with Santa.
Sip hot cocoa and snack on delicious doughnuts while you visit with the farm animals, or take a hayride to the Village to see all the beautiful lights and displays. Whatever you decide to do will be tons of fun.
Meet Jack
Jack is the owner’s son and manager at Anne Ellen’s. He was kind enough to give us a tour of the farm, starting with the entrance to the field of trees. There are somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 trees, with Norway spruce being one of the most popular species. They’re one of the only types of Christmas trees that can really grow in New Jersey.
In addition to trees you can cut down on your own, Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm also offers pre-cut options. They bring about 3,000 pre-cut trees each year, including Fraser firs and balsam firs. Jack tells us that customers are split about 50/50 in their choice of cut trees and pre-cut, with a decent split between the two.
Expanding The Farm
The difference between Anne Ellen’s and other Christmas tree farms is that it’s an entire experience. As you walk around the park, there are many shops with a lot of unique items. Jack and his family took the farm over about 20 years ago; since that time, they’ve changed it quite drastically and have expanded the business.
The shops now feature new lines of Christmas decor and gifts you won’t see at many other tree farms. New this year is the Christmas Village and Light Show, something completely unique to the area. It’s a great place for parents to take the kids and enjoy the experience as a family.
There are also many photo ops as you walk through the Village, including a life-size gingerbread house, thousands of lights, and more. Each year, Jack sees more and more photographers using Anne Ellen’s as a backdrop for family photos. To book a session, simply tell your photographer to contact the farm on their website, and they can set up the best spots.
The Christmas Shop
The Christmas Shop is another one of Anne Ellen’s best features. I’ve been coming to the farm for years, with my mother-in-law getting an ornament for my kids each time. Every time I visit, they have new items—from décor to gifts and everything in between.
Part of the shop used to be an old cow barn. Over the years, Jack explains, they’ve continued to expand on the original building. Every year, they bring in thousands and thousands of items—including ornaments, tree toppers, and all kinds of decorations from different places and vendors. They try to get small quantities of each item so they can feature a wide variety of unique wares.
Jack says one of their best sellers is tree toppers; for the past few years, they’ve been flying off the shelves. The shop features something for every taste.
Planning Your Trip
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm is located at 114 Daum Road in Manalapan, and it’s open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week. The village is open until 5:00 pm from Wednesday through Sunday. Shops will be open during the same hours as the Village.
Prices for visiting the Christmas Village are $20 for adults and $10 for kids, and all tickets must be booked online. Visitors can purchase them on Anne Ellen’s website, though no reservations are needed for visiting the Farm. Santa will be on the farm Friday through Sunday and at the Village every night.
Make Your Holiday Special
I hope this gave you a good idea of everything you can enjoy and experience at Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm. As a Manalapan resident, I love visiting the farm and know you will, too.
If you have any questions about the local area or are just curious about what it’s like living here, please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to chat with you. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of Monmouth Redefined, my show all about Monmouth County living. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!
