By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
As it enters its 13th year, Miller’s Family Farm at 500 Allen Ave. is gearing up for another season of Christmas trees, wreaths and holiday cheer.
Owner Rick Miller spoke with the North Star Reporter about what he and his wife Cindy have planned for the coming months. Community members can mark their calendars for the farm’s annual Pictures with Santa event, held this year on Friday, Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In past years, the Santa meet-and-greets required no registration, which Miller said sometimes led to long lines and restless children. This year, families can reserve a designated time slot through the farm’s Facebook page and website. Friday night visitors can also enjoy a campfire, marshmallows and professional pictures from local photographer Stephanie Downarowicz of Visions by Stephanie, who donated her time for this event.
All proceeds from Pictures with Santa will go to Lenore’s Pantry.
Wreath-making classes – always a popular tradition – have already sold out for 2025. Earlier this month, the farm hosted pet photos with Santa to benefit the North Attleborough Animal Shelter. Another session, this time in partnership with the Attleboro Animal Shelter, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, alongside a “Home for the Holidays” adoption meet-and-greet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The farm will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday evenings for the purchase of wreaths, swags, pre-cut Christmas trees and other holiday decor. Field trees are available only for tagging and cutting by those who pre-registered through the farm’s email list.
The property, which has operated as a Christmas tree farm since the early 1980s, was bought by the Miller family in 2012. Since then, Miller said demand has been hard to keep up with.
“There aren’t many Christmas tree farms left, and every year we have a hard time getting enough trees – even pre-cut trees – to satisfy everybody,” said Miller. “We sell, on average, 500 to 600 trees each season.”
Miller hopes that in the coming years, more of the farm’s field trees will be available for public cutting.
“With the droughts and other things it’s hard to get them to grow – it takes six years,” said Miller. “Hopefully in a few years, everyone will be able to come and cut down a tree.”
Miller’s Family Farm is also a longstanding participant in the Downtown Associates of North Attleborough’s [DANA] annual Santa Parade, pulling the float that carries Santa Claus through downtown to the Veterans Park gazebo.
In years past, Santa stepped off the float and headed into the Masonic Lodge for pictures. This year, he will remain on the float for a loop around Town Hall before parking on the lawn near the gazebo, where children can climb aboard the wagon to meet him.
DANA and Miller’s Family Farm also partner each year to decorate and deliver the roughly 50 wreaths that adorn the streetlights along South Washington Street.
To Miller, a self-described “nature person,” the joy comes from the whole cycle – planting the seeds, tending to the trees through the summer, and seeing the results during the holiday season.
“Seeing everybody each year – sometimes the same people, sometimes new – we always look forward to that,” said Miller. “Watching the kids with Santa Claus is just a feeling you can’t explain, and Cindy and I enjoy being able to provide that for the town.”