How to give back while getting rid of your Christmas tree. | Photo via Pexels
Looking to donate your Christmas trees or wreaths after the holidays? We’ve got the perfect recommendation for you. And the answer is a lot cuter than you might think — check out Pumpkins For Pigs.
How you can donate
Where can you donate? Check out this interactive map to find the best donation spot for you.
Here are a few spots in NOVA:
56 Hooves | 19960 Foggy Bottom Rd., Bluemont
Accepted donations: Locally grown Christmas trees for goats and uncarved pumpkins
Drop-off: Drive up to the barn buildings, and there will be a pallet or picnic table set up for donations
Anything’s Pawsbull, LLC | 13880 Blazer Ln., Lovettsville
Accepted donations: Evergreen trees (including Christmas trees), pumpkins (uncarved), gourds, fruits, vegetables, bread, straw
Drop-off: Call or text (703) 431-1473 to coordinate drop-off
Beagle Run Farm | 16675 Hillsboro Rd., Purcellville
Accepted donations: Christmas trees, pumpkins, gourds, acorns
Drop-off: Look for the sign and place donations in the box
Make sure to check out each farm’s drop-off instructions, as they differ.
🎄 If you have a Christmas tree, how long is it up?
A. Right after Christmas — let’s wrap this up B. Through the New Year — keep the festivities going C. Sometime in January — whenever I feel up to it D. Beyond January — the tree is dead when I take it down
Grabbing a bite in Fairfax County is officially more expensive. As of Jan. 1, the food and beverage tax in the county is 4% of the total cost of food and drinks sold by the restaurant. Learn more about the tax here.
Mansion Monday
Two words: wood detailing. That’s one of the many lovely features you’ll notice about this Fauquier County home. It’s perfectly described as a “farmhouse” style home, with not one, but two barns on the property. Take a peek.
Trending
Pinterest is predicting a pen pal renaissance in 2026. Online searches for cute stamps, letter inspo, and snail mail gift ideas have all seen a recent increase as folks look for new ways to create meaningful connections in an increasingly digitized world. Get some cute stationery at Penny Post in Alexandria.
Fun Fact
Did you know? The largest fish ever caught in Virginia was a 143-lb blue catfish, hooked by Richard “Nick” Anderson at Buggs Island Lake in 2011. You may not land a legend, but you can cast a line at Cook Lake in Alexandria. (AZ Animals)
Watch
A new year means new movies, and there are lots of flicks to get excited for in 2026. There’s a Michael Jackson biopic, the third installment of the “Dune” franchise, and Christopher Nolan’s upcoming spin on the epic tale, “The Odyssey.” Keep your eye on local theaters for releases. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Trending
Every new year, there’s typically an uptick in people searching for ways to stay fit. If that’s on your radar entering 2026, there are a ton of run clubs to check out in NOVA for people of all abilities.
Job
Manifesting a new job for 2026? Let us help. Our Job Board has 240,000 active listings across industries like healthcare, education, manufacturing, and information technology. Search open jobs now.
The Buy
A long puffer vest with sophisticated quilted detailing. It’s under $20 and available in eight different colors.
Did you notice something different at the top of the newsletter? The sunset time is officially back to 5 p.m. — no more sunset times starting with a four. I’ve been waiting for this day all winter long, and I’m so happy for the days to get longer once again.
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