'Sensitive Santa' For Special Needs' Kids At Christmas Tree Farm

CUTCHOGUE, NY — In a gesture that truly epitomizes the spirit of the holiday, the newly-reopened Santa's Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue will be offering something uniquely tailored to help children with special needs enjoy the season.

On Wednesdays Dec. 4 and 11 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., a "sensitive Santa" will visit the shop, especially for kids with special needs and special sensory needs, said Stacey Soloviev, who helms the store.

"We will keep the shop calm, lights dim and music off," she said.

Soloviev said helping special needs' children is a cause close to her heart. "I'm very passionate about it," she said, adding that she was the parent advocate on the committee for special education at John M. Marshall Elementary School in East Hampton. "Some of my children had sensory integration and took a long time to adjust. We were asked to leave all groups, library groups, swim lessons, etc. So I built a handicapped playground at the JMMES to raise awareness that all children deserve to play."

After the playground was built, she said, change commenced, and new programs were created.

"I know what it’s like to be scared to take a child somewhere where they might freak out, and being embarrassed. So I want parents to know there is a safe place where they can take all the time they need, and their kid can freak out without judgment," Soloviev said. "We are all in this together."

The news is just frosting on the gingerbread house for the many who are thrilled to learn that a family tradition lives on in Cutchogue this season as Santa's Christmas Tree Farm reopens under new ownership.

The farm, long owned by the Edson family, sold at a Suffolk County Surrogate's Court auction in July to Stefan Soloviev, according to the Suffolk Times. The farm had been on the market since early 2018; the previous owners had been brought to court by Southold Town in December, 2018 due to a number of violations.

News of the sale saddened families who had long made Santa's Christmas Tree Farm a part of their beloved family memories, flocking to the property to choose a Christmas tree and enjoy taking photos.

Soloviev told Patch that she is overjoyed to keep tradition alive on the North Fork. "I am so happy to be able to open this year because many families have come in saying they have been coming for 30 years and now they bring their children," she said. "So many people were sad thinking it was closed. Seeing the joy on everyone's face when they come to Santa's has made all the hard work worth it."

And there's a lot to look forward to: Soloviev said she has a hand-painted barrel train coming from Texas; each barrel is shaped like a reindeer and the last barrel is a sleigh. In addition, there will be Christmas themed bouncy houses and slides for the kids. "And we are building a fire pit so families can make s'mores," she said.

Soloviev added: "I have 11 children so Christmas is an exciting time at my house! My littlest kids say they work for Santa and love helping out at the farm."

The shop is freshly spruced up, with a sea of old favorites, including ornaments, stockings, Department 56 villages, and more. New additions include bath bombs and other items chosen with Soloviev's discerning eye. The business is also now illuminated at night by holiday lights.

Other events to come include two performances by children's musician Brady Rymer on Nov. 30 and Dec. 8, pet photos with Santa, and visits with Old St. Nick himself.

And, of course, there are the Christmas trees, with both cut-your-own and pre-cut varieties available; wreaths and roping will also be onhand as always.

Toni Ann Sinning, who has worked at Santa's for 30 years, said she was heartbroken when the business sold. "Then Stacey called and asked me to come back," she said. She added that working with the Edsons for three decades was a fulfilling experience, with employees close as family. "But Stacey is amazing. I feel like I'm part of a new family," she said.

Santa's Christmas Tree Farm is located at 30105 Main Rd. in Cutchogue and open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.