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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- A Chapin family continues the tradition their father left behind.

Thanksgiving may just be ending, but the Wessingers have been thinking about Christmas all year long.

Charles Wessinger planted his first Christmas tree in 1976 at Bear Creek Christmas Tree Farm on Amicks Ferry Road in Chapin.

After passing away last year, his two daughters were left to tend the family Christmas tree business.

"We've learned how to prune trees properly. We've learned how to get ready for the season. We've learned how to plant the baby trees. We've had to learn on the fly, so to speak," said Charli Wessinger-Weatherford.

Gina Wessinger says, "You're part of somthing that means a good bit to yourselves and to other families."

The family grows about twenty-five varities of holiday cactus as well as providing an assortment of poinsettias and hand made wreathes.

The kid friendly environment allows others to start or continue a family tradition of their own. The family provides Christmas coloring books, candy canes, a photo opportunity, and occasionally, Santa stops by the farm.

The daughters say they think their father would be proud of them for taking the Christmas tree business and continuing their family tradition first planted by a caring soul they call Dad.

The Christmas tree farm opens Friday. You can choose and cut Leland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Blue Ice, Green Giants or Virginia Pines. Frasier Firs are also available as they have been delivered from the North Carolina mountains.

For more information, here's a link to Bear Creek Christmas Tree Farm's Facebook page.