Chris and Marin Leafer, with their daughters Bella and Gentry, proudly stand by one of the many Christmas trees at Leafer Lodge Farms. The Stillwater family has turned their dream into a beloved community tradition, offering families a magical holiday experience on their 10-acre farm.
Meet Stillwater residents Chris and Marin Leafer. Together with their daughters, dog Comet, and flock of chickens, they live on a 10-acre woodsy plot in the north-east corner of town. Their home is a welcoming wooden lodge nestled on their land. It's not opulent but welcoming and comfortable. Stepping inside, one forgets they are in rural Oklahoma and feels they're at a mountain resort lobby in Breckenridge Colorado.
It's no surprise– the Leafers love the mountains. Each year they take a summer retreat to the mountains of North Carolina to recharge before preparing for Christmas tree season. They run Leafer Lodge Farms, Stillwater's only family-owned Christmas tree farm.
2024 marks the fifth year since coming to Stillwater to build on Marin's dream. "Christmas tree farming has always been a dream of mine. Always, as far back as I can remember."
When they returned to Stillwater after living in Manhattan, KS, to be closer to family, they bought ten acres of uncleared land to build their future. But they couldn't afford to hire help so they had to clear it themselves. It took a year before they could plant their first two rows of trees. Marin had to leave a career in mortgage lending to help with the work, while they maintained income through their power-washing business.
Looking back on how far they've come brings Marin a sense of pride and gratitude. "I feel so much more accomplished working with my hands way more than I ever did mortgage lending…I loved helping customers in doing all that but it's a very stressful job." Working in finance paid well but was more stressful. "Here, I don't feel like I'm working because it's so rewarding," says Marin.
The rewards aren't limited to Marin either. Their daughters Bella and Gentry have been with them through the whole process. Bella, now a freshman in college, misses the farm life.
"It was a bit of a love/hate relationship," says Chris. "She is a great worker and complained through it all," he laughs. They've seen how Bella's time away has given her a renewed appreciation for how farm life formed her into a young woman capable of hard work.
Building the farm has transformed more than just the Leafer family. "We wanted families to be able to come to a place that they could create these memories in the tradition of the holiday spirit. We don't want to be commercialized, we want to be so relational with people who come to the farm," says Marin.
The Friday before Thanksgiving, the Leafers held a movie night on their land, and over 250 people came. It looked and felt like a village scene from a Hallmark movie. Families mingled around the fire roasting marshmallows, kids ran around all over the place, some going down the 40-foot slide, some on the swings, others waiting to see Santa. Couples and families snuggled under blankets to keep warm while watching "Elf" on the big screen. People filed in and out of the Gingerbread House for popcorn, pizza, and hot cocoa.
The word “magical” is a recurring word in their reviews. A recent visitor, Joleyn Nickens, said “They are always so welcoming. Everytime we go, they welcome us like family...The setup that they have is magical. It's like walking in a Christmas movie.”
And between the hustle and bustle were hundreds of conversations and ministering opportunities for Marin. "I tell people all the time, this is her ministry," says Chris. He sees his job mainly as logistics management, so Marin is free to listen to and talk with visitors.
Leafer Lodge Farms has hosted a variety of organizations including churches, sororities, and Lions Meadows of Hope. Marin and Chris were honored when the director of Lions told them that "Leafer Lodge Farm is the coveted #1 spot for foster kids," when planning where they will visit. "Every time we've come here, there's never been an incident." The Leafers are happy to provide a place for them to just run around and be kids.
Most people try to get less work and avoid extra busyness around the holidays. But for the Leafers, the events and Christmas tree selling does not detract from their enjoyment of the season. "It adds to it. I never want to get too busy to where I can't spend quality time with our customers who come on the property," says Marin. People are the priority.
Looking beyond next season, the Leafers would like to expand with more land and try adding a transient RV park. But the Christmas tree farming and hosting events remain their main projects as they hope their home will be a place people build into their family traditions for years to come.
Someday down the road, their love of the mountains might dis-lodge them from Stillwater. "But at this point, we're here to stay," says Marin.
