We gracious and admirable people will say that Christmas isn’t about gifts or lighting displays. We’ll say the holiday is about love, family or religious beliefs. All of the knickknacks and decorations don’t really matter to us. But in addition to our more saintly qualities, we’re also realistic people. And we know that if the in-laws take the effort to fly in from miles away, they’ll be expecting more than love to adorn the living room. It’s time to start shopping for that holiday staple, the Christmas tree.

Tucked away off North Torpedo Road in Oak Harbor lies the WoodBee Christmas Tree Farm. Dave Grace and his family have been running the farm for the past seven years after they purchased it from their neighbors, Gail and Chuck Jaeger.

The farm offers U-cut Douglas, Noble and Fraser firs along with Norway Spruce trees and offers such services as tree flocking and netting. Additionally, the Graces sell wreaths in different shapes (including candy cane), tree stands, mistletoe, garland, wreath hangers and concoctions that guarantee to keep trees staying fresh.

Though it’s easier to simply pluck a tree off a lot or, dare it be mentioned, buy an artificial one from a superstore, the Graces are marketing more than just trees; they’re selling an experience.

“The kids come; they see Santa; they play in the hay forts. It’s about getting them excited for their Christmas,” Grace said. “It’s about the ambiance.”

Santa Claus visits the farm on weekends, an outdoor fire is always roaring, hot cider is available, a giant sleigh for photos in on site, hay rides are given, hay forts lie waiting and two “reindeer” are kept in a pen for the kids to pet.

Steven Grace, 23, mans the farm for his parents and often spends afternoons running between the rows helping people haul their trees in carts or putting them on a shaker to rid them of loose needles. He said business is booming this season.

“It’s always like this,” Grace said on a busy Wednesday afternoon. “People go crazy. On the weekends the parking lot is full.”

Tara Louden is a visitor to Oak Harbor for the season and said she insisted on seeing WoodBee.

“I’m from Texas where we have to buy pre-cut trees,” she said. She said the medium sized tree she picked out at the farm would cost about $65 in the Lone Star state.

WoodBee is located at 2870 N. Torpedo Road in Oak Harbor. It’s open from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tree prices range from $5 to $8 a foot. More information on the farm is available at woodbeechristmastrees.com.

For those who can’t make it to the farm or prefer efficient lot shopping, stores such as Safeway in Oak Harbor have their trees out, and the Lions Club is selling trees in the park across from the Chamber of Commerce at 32630 on Highway 20 in Oak Harbor. The lot is open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the proceeds benefit community programs.