Plus, reader thoughts on Poole'side Pies.
 
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62º | Cloudy | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:01 p.m.
 

🎄 Our recs fir Christmas trees

How to shop fir Christmas trees in Raleigh
Christmas trees
Logan’s Garden Shop can deliver and place your Christmas tree in your home for an additional fee. | Photo provided by Logan’s Garden Shop
Did you know? After Oregon, North Carolina is the country’s top producer of holiday trees — primarily the native Fraser fir, which is indigenous to the US and only grows in higher elevations in the Southern Appalachian mountains. Every year, these firs travel across the US and remain as popular holiday decorations in Raleigh.

We asked our readers about their tree preference, and 64% prefer real trees over artificial. Here are a few of their local tree suggestions + some of our own.

Atlantic Gardening, 5217 Atlantic Ave.
This urban plant nursery is the perfect spot for those not looking for a full tree, but still want to deck the halls using live decor. Shop marbled poinsettias, Christmas cacti + wreaths — and pick up a pot for your green-thumbed loved one.

Booger Mountain Christmas Trees, multiple locations
If you nose, you know. These lots sell Natural Noble firs and other tree varieties. Pick your favorite tree from six local lots, three of which are in Raleigh.

A marbled red poinsettia.

If trees aren’t your vibe, add other festive live decor from Atlantic Gardening.

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Photo provided by Atlantic Gardening

Boyce Farms, 2813 Mt. Vernon Church Rd.
Grab a pre-cut Fraser fir or choose-and-cut your own Raleigh-grown tree from this family owned farm. If you’re looking for a snowy-but-indoors option, this farm offers pre-flocked trees as well.

Logan’s Garden Shop, 707 Semart Dr.
Pick a tree from Logan’s historic Seaboard Station store and have it delivered + placed in the spot of your choosing — no need to worry about hauling your tree home.

State Farmers Market, 1201 Agriculture St.
If it’s got to be NC, head to the State Farmers Market for hundreds of trees from a variety of farms + vendors. Plus, keep shopping local with local fruit + veg, baked goods, and gifts.
Five more tree spots
 
Events
Friday, Dec. 1
  • Better Days Music Series | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | Hartwell Raleigh, 620 W. South St., Raleigh | Free | Join this quarterly live music series featuring musicians that are dedicated to writing and performing original music.
  • Holiday Sip & Shop | Friday, Dec. 1 | 6-8 p.m. | Rocky Mountain Chocolate, 8521 Brier Creek Pkwy., Ste. 103, Raleigh | Free | Before the festive tree lighting at Brier Creek, pop in for some complimentary hot cocoa + seasonal treat discounts.
  • First Friday Raleigh at Curate Downtown | Friday, Dec. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Curate Downtown, 15 W. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | Shop Curate after hours as part of First Friday with a DIY martini succulent event from The Houseplant Hippie.
  • Moonlight by Harold Pinter | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | Burning Coal Theatre Company, 224 Polk St., Raleigh | $30 | This play, by Nobel Prize Laureate Harold Pinter, follows a man reflecting on his life
  • A Gift to Remember | Friday, Dec. 1-Monday, Dec. 4 | Times vary | Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Ave., Cary | $10-$25 | This play based on a Debbie Macomber book is sure to get the fam in the holiday spirit.
Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Merry Marvin | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Wine and Design, 510 W. Martin St., Raleigh | $40 | Create a merry holiday painting and BYO food + bev for a festive evening of fun.
  • Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $30-$285 | Cheer on the “bunch of jerks” against the Sabres.
Sunday, Dec. 3
  • 31st Annual Boylan Heights Artwalk | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 12-5 p.m. | Boylan Heights Neighborhood, S. Boylan Ave., Raleigh | Free | Stroll + see glasswork, fiber art, ceramics, multimedia creations, and more through this historic Raleigh neighborhood.
  • Pho-ho-ho-tos with Santa | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 12 p.m. | Rosecomb Beer Garden, 1143 Parkside Main St., Cary | $20 | Have your pups meet Santa Paws while benefiting the Canine Community Outreach of NC.
Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Elf-The Musical | Saturday, Dec. 9-Sunday, Dec. 17 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $35-$100 | This hilarious musical follows the smash-hit 2003 movie that’s now a Holiday classic — and is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf.*
Even more to do here
Click here to have your event featured.
Eat

Holiday party hosting made easy
Slideshow of cheeses, pretzels, hot dogs, and brats spread out on boards
If a five-course dinner better suits your style, the Smokehouse tapas + taps gives guests a tapas dinner with the best of smoked meats, side dishes, and a flight of local beer. | Photos via @lowesfoods
Need a fun outing for a holiday girls’ night or a space to host your team for a work event — what about your kiddo’s next birthday? Why not at your local grocery store?

The Community Table at Lowes Foods has an abundance of two-hour private event options for parties up to 12.

For $15 per guest, you can host:
  • Wine + cheese pairings: Enjoy a custom pairing of a gourmet wine flight and delectable cheeses.
  • Beer and brats: A match made in hog heaven, this event option pairs a flight of local draft beer with four SausageWorks brats flavors.
  • Tea parties: Enjoy tasty tea, finger sandwiches, and a cake square decorating class — because you’re never too old to enjoy tea with a pinky out.
Looking for more hands-on experiences? Try a cake decorating class or a floral design + wine night.

Pro tip: Hosting at home? Lowes Foods can help with that too.
What will your next event be?
News Notes
Coming Soon
  • Tepuy Donuts is opening its first storefront at the intersection of 440 and Capital Boulevard — not far from Wegmans + Trader Joe’s. The donuts will still be sold at Idle Hour and other pop-up locations. (Raleigh Magazine)
Try This
  • Get a first taste of Figulina Pasta + Provisions, headed by former Poole’s Chef David Ellis, with a pop-up dinner at Raleigh Wine Shop. Stop by for a taste of NC harvests on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5 to 8 p.m before Figulina opens in the former Humble Pie space.
Sports
Legacy
  • Cecilia Salah of Sassool died on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 97 years old. The Salah family owns Sassool and renamed the restaurant in 2014 after Salah’s nickname. Sassool has locations on Strickland Road in Raleigh and Kildaire Farm Road in Cary.
Seasonal
  • A group of holly jolly Raleighites are headed to the White House. Traditional caroler group The Oakwood Waits will sing for White House visitors — they previously visited in 1997 and 2003. Listen to the group perform their annual benefit concert in Raleigh Dec. 17. (The News & Observer)
Community
  • Oh, deer. Collisions with deer in NC are most common in November, the peak of their mating season, and Wake County ranks first for deer collisions in the state. Experts say to stay alert and utilize your high beams when possible — and if there’s one deer, that probably means there are more. (WUNC)
Family
  • The North Hills Kids Lab Pop-Up is right around the corner. This free event on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 12 to 4 p.m. offers kids and parents the chance to fuel their imaginations by tinkering, making art, and learning through creative play. See details + location info.*
Eat
  • You deserve something delicious this weekend. Put this brunch star together on Saturday evening, let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven for a sweet, sweet Sunday morning — and thank us on Monday.*
 
The Buy

The Buy 12.01.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Only the perfect gift for cat lovers.
Answered

Food

What should replace Poole’side Pies?
A neon sign of a woman diving into a pizza.
Dive into reader suggestions for the Poole’side Pies space. | Photo by RALtoday
Chef Ashley Christensen made a splash this week when she announced the closure of Poole’side Pies at the end of December. AC fans, don’t fret — the restaurant group plans to implement a new concept in the space soon. We asked our readers what they’d like to see at the spot — here’s a few of our favs.

Many readers suggested something veggie-based with dishes like paleo bites, Mediterranean inspired-dishes, and fine dining with a vegan twist. If you’re looking for plant-based eateries, we’ve got a list for that.

Our readers also suggested a tapas + wine concept that would function as a waiting space for Poole’s — or a dry bar. Readers Jane C. and Hailey Q. proposed a breakfast restaurant.

For ideas a bit more community-focused, Sydney S. suggested a food pantry, and Banks P. wants a community market with hot food alongside local produce + prepared foods.

Reader Deb M. put our feelings best: “Whatever her heart desires. I’m sure it will be wonderful!”
Share your thoughts
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Allie
From the editor
Last night, we explored Illuminate Art Walk in downtown Raleigh, and it was beautiful. While you peruse First Friday shopping + activities tonight, make sure to stroll around Fayetteville Street and beyond.
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