Comments on: Reserve A Fresh Christmas Tree at S&R Now!

By: anna

anna — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 15:00:37 +0000

what did you do with the tree after the holidays? did you use it as “pang-gatong?”

By: Johnson

Johnson — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:25:43 +0000

Thanks for the info. I was told that the 1st batch would arrive Nov 28.

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:07:29 +0000

vance, many years ago, the fanciest of flower shops at 6750 I think brought in a very limited number of pieces of mistletoe for their best clients… I saw them preparing them, but unless you were a regular, I don’t think you could buy them. Since that time, I have never seen fresh mistletoe for sale in Manila. But they could be easily handcarried from North America if you know someone coming back during the holidays.

By: vance

vance — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:41:56 +0000

Hi MM :) Where can I buy a mistletoe and for how much? Thank you!

By: Marketman

Marketman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:07:35 +0000

tinggayforever, the tree comes wrapped up or bound up, so it is like a long heavy surfboard but more cylindrical. It fits in a medium or large SUV, with the middle and possibly front seat down. It would also travel well on the roof for brief distances. Just cover it with plastic so no stray sap stains your car. The christmas stand is also sold at S&R, I think they mentioned it in the details above… PHP999.95 but re-usable, ours is nearly 6 years old I think. The smell is incredible. But keep it hydrated as it could dry out without additional water.

By: tinggayforever

tinggayforever — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:09:25 +0000

mm – silent lurker (for years now) but this post got me excited! i am THISCLOSE to ordering one (not just for myself but mainly for my 1 year old boy who will be enthralled by this!) i just 2 questions:

1. how did you bring it home? do they deliver or do you need a pickup of some sort to transport it? we only have a mini SUV (a CRV) so i don’t think it’ll fit
2. in your post about how to take care of it – where do you buy the christmas stand to prop up the tree?

By: sister

sister — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:09:00 +0000

Dear Pinayinny,
You can get a tree from EVERGREEN on Sixth Avenue between 26th and 27th Street in Manhattan. Gus gets them from a tree farm upstate so they are fresh cut compared to the ones on the street corners. He is cranky and not customer friendly since he is basilcally to the trade only but if you go in there and order one nicely and pay cash he will get it delivered to you sight unseen so you just have to trust him. He no longer stocks them on the sidewalk because the cops issue tickets. He sells only “lobby trees”, top grade, good on 7 out of 8 sides. Trees are graded so go for the yellow or white ribbon. Just tell him how tall you want it, and generally it’s about $10-12. a foot plus $20 for delivery in Manhattan. Someone in his store will fresh cut it before delivery. He also carries fresh wreaths, pine or boxwood roping, holly and mistletoe, his store is one stop decorating for the holidays.
The secret to shopping at the flower market on 28th Street is to know before hand what you want, don’t ask questions or haggle, and pay cash otherwise they will unceremoniously throw you out. Expect to pay 20% more than their regular florist customers but that is still 50% cheaper than buying from your neighborhood florsit.

Best,
Sister

Dear Betty Q,

Haven’t gotten around to making any fruitcakes for Christmas after I made 200 individual ones plus a 100 lb. wedding cake for my daughter last June. I am fruitcaked out already so maybe next year. You seem like an absolutely accomplished and dedicated cook so it will take you only one afternoon to churn out a dozen cakes. MM published my recipe several Christmases ago. It is well worth the effort.
Furthermore I am gearing up to making Thanksgiving for 50 friends and family, so fruitcake is not even a consideration this month. More like trying to figure out the logistics for my menu of oysters with mignonette, 3 turkeys, 2 hams, stuffing, gravy, cranberry compote, pear chutney, wild rice salad, beet and mache/goat cheese salad, mashed turnips, creamed potato-parsnip, candied yams, cornbread, apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies. About 80% of it is locally sourced from Union Square market. It isn’t what the Pilgrims or the Indians ate but it is what my children want every Thanksgiving. I suggested a more authentic menu based on historical guidelines i.e. eel, duck, venison,etc. but that was voted down.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday and thanks for sharing all your recipes.
Best,
Sister

By: pinayinny

pinayinny — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:23:51 +0000

sister, where do you get your trees here in ny?

By: betty q.

betty q. — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:59:05 +0000

Sister: Can I PLEASE just order a fruitcake from you? I will be going to the Land of the Midnight Sun in the next few days …roughing it out like Little House on the Prairie…wood burning stove, etc. …Yup, I am TOTALLY INSANE Doc C. for doing it this time of the year!

As a token of my gratitude , Sister, if I can order your fruitcake, I will mail you the chocolate cake by Fedex if need be or by air cargo!

By: eej

eej — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:12:29 +0000

Don’t forget to throw in an an aspirin or two in the tree holder to keep it fresh longer. MM, slow down, I’m still in the Halloween mode then Thanksgiving thereafter.. haven’t stressed about Christmas yet!

Oh, the fun of the holidays indeed! .