If you’re looking forward to the holiday season already, then you’re not alone.
Sweethaven Lavender is having their second annual Sweethaven Country Christmas, and this year they plan on keeping up with traditions.
Kerry Messer, who owns and operates Sweethaven Lavender, said their Christmas event has already become a tradition for some families in the area.
“We can’t allow COVID to rob us of our traditions,” she said.
Last year, Sweethaven Country Christmas featured carolers and square-dancing, and while there won’t be as much dancing this year, there are still plenty of treats to look forward to.
There will be Christmas treats available by pre-order, including charcuterie boxes, Christmas sweets samples, and tabletop lavender Christmas trees.
And in case you’re wondering, it’s a potted lavender bush in the shape of a Christmas tree.
But the lavender gifts don’t stop there.
Sweethaven Lavender is also partnering with the Hampton Roads Winery and Soulful Coffee Roasters to offer treats like mulled wine and ciders and lavender infused coffee.
There will also be a chance to give back to the community.
Stockings will be hung up to collect baby care items for a drive called Baby’s First Christmas. The donations will go toward CareNet Peninsula to help local mothers get the supplies they need to care for their infants.
“We need joy in our lives in the midst of everything going on,” Messer said.
The Sweethaven County Christmas is just a continuation of the farm’s goal to spread joy through the community. Messer said over the summer, she and her family were able to witness many great moments among the people who came to visit the farm.
“Our setting just happened to be a place where people could be together safely,” she said, recalling how she and her family witnessed joyous occasions and some more tender moments.
Messer said they saw babies meeting their extended family for the first time, preschool children being reunited with friends, and even families gathering on the 132-acre farm to mourn the loss of loved ones who died during the lockdowns. There were even some wedding proposals.
“I felt like it was a gift for us to be able to witness that,” Messer said.
Though the lavender season is over, Sweethaven has found a way to remain active during the winter months through their second annual Country Christmas.
The event spans three days, starting Friday, Dec. 4 to Sunday, Dec. 6. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sweethaven Lavender will have a mini petting zoo featuring miniature horse, cow, donkey, llama or alpaca, goats, sheep, pig, chicken, duck and bunnies.
Admission is free both Friday and Sunday. Saturday tickets are $5 per person, and children 5 and younger get in for free.
Messer added they are requiring ticket reservations this year in order to ensure people have enough space to socially distance around their barn.
Sweethaven Lavender is located off Jolly Pond Road and will reopen for lavender season on Mother’s Day in 2021. To reserve tickets and pre-order products for their Sweethaven Country Christmas, click here.
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