The smell of fresh pine exuding from the handcrafted wreaths that hang on the Lank Farm store’s walls in Kennebunk are sure to fill any shopper with Christmas cheer.

Friends and neighbors of owner Cathy Lank have spent the last few weeks working diligently to make sure enough wreaths, kissing balls and centerpieces are available to visitors before the Christmas season is over.

“Almost everyone from the neighborhood helps out,” said Cathy Lank last week, standing in front of her workshop where customers can view the hand-wrapping of wreaths as they purchase them.

Lank is one of many farms in York County that provide entertainment to those looking to pick up trees or decorations for the holidays.

“People can come out and make it a family day, and it’s affordable,” said Lank.

With Santa making appearances, sleigh rides and free hot cider and cookies this weekend, the farm is turning typical day trips to the country into all-out Christmas celebrations.

Lank said her 300-acre farm has become a go-to place for people looking for locally produced ornaments that are all-natural and usually custom-made right before they’re bought.

“The quality is much better because the wreaths are not processed, and we put care into them,” said Jennifer Jolin, a neighbor of Lank and one of the workshop’s “little elves,” while nailing together a wreath plaque.

Jolin said she loves the wreaths’ pine cones and balsam fir tree branch scents and the overall atmosphere that comes with working beside friends who enjoy what they’re doing.

Customers seemed to find equal pleasure in buying the completed crafts.

“The focus of my purchase is that it’s local and family owned,” said shopper Susan MacCachran of Kennebunkport, who was in her third year of visiting Lank Farm to buy wreaths and kissing balls.

The appeal of Lank Farm’s charm is enough to draw out-of-state residents from all over New England as well.

Pat Archibald was in her second year of shopping at Lank Farm because of its delightful aromas and picturesque scenery, she said. Archibald makes the trip from her home in Massachusetts after visiting her daughter in Brunswick to pick up a wreath each season.

“There’s nothing else like it here,” said Archibald.

The farm was established in 1758, but came under the ownership of the Lank family in 1850, according to Lank. Lank and her husband, Rob, took over the business 10 years ago, when Rob’s mother, Joanne, passed it on to them.

MacCachran said the support of businesses in town is often important because of their historical significance. She added it’s her wish that future generations will grow to appreciate that.

While the majority of Lank’s business is through wreaths ”“ approximately 1,000 were sold last year ”“ Christmas trees are also a big part of the sales, with 300 moved the previous year.

Visitors have the option of cutting down their own trees to place in their homes or having a farm employee do it for them.

“People often pull up in their trucks, cut them down with chain saws or axes and load them up in the back,” said Lank, adding they can search through the 80-acre forest for the tree that speaks to them.

Santa Claus will swing by the store on Emmons Road this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to talk with children in conjunction with town’s Christmas Prelude events. The farm’s 5th annual “Old-fashioned Family Christmas” will also feature sleigh rides during those hours.

Other tree farms have plans of their own for the coming weeks.

Wallingford Farm on Route 1 has similar holiday items for sale ”“ balsam and Fraser fir trees, sleigh bells, kissing balls and wreaths, among other things. Farm artist Hilary Mitchell-Clark said that come Christmas time, the farm tries to make itself as family oriented as possible to make it a wonderful holiday experience, rather than just a place to shop. Wallingford is open until Christmas Eve and before it closes for the winter, the farm will have visits from Santa at unspecified times on Saturdays and Sundays. Hay rides will also be given when groups of children stop by.

“It adds to the color and spirit of Christmas in general,” said Mitchell-Clark about the festivities they host every year.

Another farm, Holmes Tree Farm on Whitten Road, has 30,000 fir and white pine trees and will have a few visits from Santa on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa will be free to take pictures with children, accept Christmas lists and hand out candy canes.

“We try to do everything we can to make parents and grandparents feel good about coming here with their kids,” said owner Diana Holmes.

Holmes said the two points the farm tries to focus on are families and creating a tradition within those families.

“When you walk in here, you’re a part of our family,” she said.

For a list of growers in the area, visit the Maine Christmas Tree Association website at www.mainechristmastree.com.

— Staff Writer Matt Kiernan can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or mkiernan@journaltribune.com.