Chamois shirts and Bean boots aren’t the only items flying off our virtual shelves heading into the peak holiday shopping season. Fresh holiday greens, which have brought the scent of the great outdoors to homes from coast to coast for nearly 40 years, are off to a strong start as Americans daydream about decking the halls.

“People love to order our fresh greens for themselves or as gifts,” says Jennifer Benevides, Senior Corporate Retail Merchant Manager over Home. "It’s how we bring the beauty of the outdoors to our customers’ homes during the most wonderful time of the year. Decorating for the holidays is a beloved tradition for so many, and there’s just something special about a live wreath or centerpiece.”

Pre-orders are accepted starting in late-August, with shipping in mid-November. Bean’s two family-owned suppliers—a balsam farm in Maine and a West Coast farm specializing in noble fir and western red cedar—fulfill orders directly to maximize freshness.

The majority of L.L.Bean’s fresh greens are sustainably harvested (no clearcutting). This means tree branches are “tipped”— carefully snapped in two or three places at the lower ends to preserve lateral branches that will stay healthy and continue to grow. Clipped greens are water-washed—no chemicals are used—to remove bugs and hydrate before being assembled into bunches and attached with 22- or 24-gauge wire to a sturdy ring that provides the wreath's form. All pieces are made to order.

Demand has surged during the pandemic due, in part, to a boom in online shopping. L.L.Bean expects this to be a banner year for orders.

“It’s a great way to kick off your holiday shopping early and, while you’re at it, grab a few needlepoint stockings, advent calendars and boxes of mini whoopie pies,” Johnson said, noting that greens also make popular client gifts. “We have a significant repeat business and see a lot of multiple purchases from folks like me who like to knock out several gifts in a single transaction.”

Shop the L.L.Bean Fresh Greens collection.