The day after Thanksgiving was this season’s first day of operation for Bourdet’s Christmas Tree Farm, which drew families from throughout the region to pick out and take home a Christmas tree — and get in the holiday spirit.
John Bourdet and his wife, Tina, started their business 30 years ago on Pacheco Pass, then expanded to retail lots in Gilroy and Hollister before settling in their current location at the end of Los Viboras Road off Fairview Road in the rural northern reaches of San Benito County.
Rocky and Espe Chavez of Salinas visited Bourdet’s for the first time to pick out their tree with their two children. They explained that they wanted a “different experience” for their children, “we want them to have the whole Christmas tree shopping experience.” They went on to explain that they will continue to come back to Bourdet’s because of the quality of the trees and because of their tree selection experience.
Bourdet’s is different than a retail Christmas tree lot, where trees are often wrapped up and stacked closely together. At the farm, there are acres of trees — some pre-cut and others ready to be felled by customers — along with a kids’ playground, “sleigh” rides (in a tractor-drawn trailer), a petting zoo, and free, hot apple cider and candy canes.
“I think we created an environment here that the big box stores can’t do,” said John Bourdet. “I can’t compete with them, but I can create an environment that they can’t create for the family. That’s what Christmas is all about; the family.”
Michelle Montoya and her husband visited Bourdet’s on opening morning like they had for the past four years. The Montoyas explained how it’s been a tradition for them to go to Bourdet’s for the past decade, but they decided four years ago to come specifically on opening day to “jump start” Christmas in their house.. “We keep coming back because they are so friendly, efficient, and it’s overall a great experience,” Montoya said.
Even couples without children, such as Ruben and Ludi Rodriguez, have been coming to Bourdet’s for “as long as they can remember.” Melissa and Jeremy Smith came to Bourdet’s Friday morning with their two sons to cut their own Christmas tree like they have for the past 12 years. Coming to Bourdet’s for a tree, as explained by multiple families, is a tradition that’s as much about family time as it is about finding the perfect tree.
San Benito High School 2015 graduate Bailee Nelson, who has been working at Bourdet’s for the past three seasons, said her favorite part of working at the tree farm is “working with John and Tina, and all the guys that work here. I also love when everyone is getting into that Christmas cheer right after Thanksgiving.”
Employee Brianna DiNapoli was working for the first time Friday morning, but explained how she has been buying trees from Bourdet’s for five years. The lines of people she was assisting were consistent, as people paid for trees and purchased items such as natural and shotgun shell wreaths.
Bourdet’s is open from 9 a.m until 8 p.m. daily until Christmas Eve, with tree varieties including Monterey Pines, Leland Cypress, Noble Firs, Douglas Firs, Grand Firs and Silver Tip. Netting, flocking and delivery are also available. For more information, click here.
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