The National Christmas Tree is illuminated on the Ellipse. Official White House Photograph by Lawrence Jackson

If the Christmas carols jingling from every store and endless twinkling lights didn’t tip you off, it’s time to begin preparing for the bustle of the holiday season. And if you’re one of the brave souls not permanently scarred by the opening scenes of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Clark Griswold’s harrowing quest for the perfect tree, choosing and cutting your own Christmas tree can be a great place to start.

Luckily, there are myriad tree farms in the Washington area for you to choose from. All you’ll need is access to a car, and you can be on your way to finding your perfect holiday tree. Many of the farms even offer cider, hot chocolate, or gift shops chock-full of holiday decorations to get you in the spirit.

Before piling in the car for a day of good, old-fashioned family fun, remember to measure the area you plan to place your tree so you know what height your home can accommodate. And don’t forget to bundle up and wear sturdy boots capable of handling the muddy terrains of most farms this time of year.

Once you’ve returned home with your prize, place it in water as soon as possible to avoid drying it out and minimize needle loss. Lowering the room temperature will also slow the drying process. For more information on holiday safety, tree care tips, or to find a post-holiday tree recycling center near you, visit christmastree.org.

Wednesday, November 11
Ingrid King, a former veterinary-hospital manager turned author, will speak about animals as teachers at the Humane Society of Loudoun County (1 Harrison St., SE, Leesburg; 703-777-2912) at 7. The author will also sign and sell books. All proceeds go to the Humane Society. For another book signing with King, see Sunday’s events.

Saturday, November 14
Who says you’re the only one who had a long week? Chasing your tail gets exhausting, too. Wind down at Chateau-Animaux’s (524 Eighth St., SE) Yappy Hour with fresh-baked Zanadoo biscuits for Fido and complimentary wine and cheese for two-legged guests. The evening will feature a free seminar, “Dealing With Down Times: Coping Skills for Dealing With Health Challenges, Healing, and Loss,” at 7. There’ll also be a Washington Humane Society adoption van from 5:30 to 8.

For more pet-themed education, Seneca Hill Animal Hospital Resort & Spa (11415 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls; 703-450-6760) and PetTech will host a four-hour first-aid course that will include topics such as restraining and muzzling; canine and feline CPR; assessing the pet’s vitals, fractures, and limb injuries; and shock and bleeding management. The class is $85, and the program runs from noon to 4.

Wylie Wagg pet boutique will host three adoption events: There’ll be Great Pyrenees at its Middleburg location (5-B E. Washington St.; 540-687-8727) from noon to 4; Greyhounds at its Tysons store (7505 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 120-A, Falls Church; 703-748-0022) from 11 to 2; and an event with the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA at its Fairfax location (11889 Grand Commons Ave.; 703-830-5454) from noon to 4.

Adoption is the theme of this week’s pet-centric events. With winter around the corner, the timing might be just right for a new family member who’s happy to curl up at the foot of your bed and keep you warm.

Friday, November 6
Before you bring home your new friend, the Washington Animal Rescue League will host a free new-dog orientation Friday. The league’s certified trainer will talk about chewing, socialization, training, and more. 6 to 7:30; 71 Oglethorpe St., NW. E-mail training@warl.org to RSVP.

Saturday, November 7
Feline fans can find the perfect match at the Washington Animal Rescue League’s cat-adoption event at the Big Bad Woof (117 Carroll St., NW; 202-291-2404), a store for eco-conscious pet products. WARL staff will be on hand to steer new pet owners through the process. Noon to 3.

Adoption goes glam at Saturday night’s Fuzzy and Funky Fall Benefit at the City Tavern Club (3206 M St., NW), hosted by the Washington Humane Society. The party will feature music by Big Sam’s Funky Nation, hurricane cocktails, beer specials, and snacks. The $25 ticket price will go to WHS.

During the DC Solar Tour this weekend, more than 70 eco-friendly homes open their doors to the public. Spread out across the area—from Baltimore and Frederick to Lorton and Manassas—the tour sites use all sorts of cutting-edge  green technology. You’ll see tankless water heaters, low-water consumption toilets, green roofs, and more. 
October 3 and 4 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free with a copy of the brochure, available here.

In its 54th year, the Potomac Country House Tour showcases four homes in the ritzy Montgomery County suburb. Highlights of this year’s tour include a French Country Manor and a replica of Chownings Tavern, a 230-year old landmark in Williamsburg.
October 3 and 4 from Noon to 5 PM. Tickets are $25, $20 in advance.

Fourteen Eastern Shore designers have redone the rectory of the Church of Holy Trinity in Oxford, Virginia. Called the Country Rectory Showhouse, the newly decorated spaces are on view through October 4. Suzanne Hanks of S. Hanks Interior Design has designed the master bedroom in a green and creme color scheme that matches the foliage outside the bedroom’s windows. Designer Maggie Sarsaty painted animals along the walls of the foyer and staircase.
Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday from Noon to 4 PM. Admission is $20 at the door. For more information, call 410-226-5400.   

More than a dozen Virginia estates in Middleburg and Upperville open their doors for the Hunt Country Stable Tour this Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 5. The 50th anniversary of this self-guided tour is a good excuse to escape the city and spend a day driving along beautiful, winding roads, peeking inside the area’s famous country estates. The tour includes horse stables, a winery, a track where thoroughbreds condition and train, and a 1,000-acre working farm.

If you want to extend your visit, here’s a guide to good restaurants  and shops  in charming downtown Middleburg.

For tickets ($25) call 540-592-3711 or visit www.middleburgonline.com.

Are you thinking about renovating your home but unsure whether you need an architect? How do you find someone who will suit your needs? And once you’ve found an architect or contractor, how do you communicate your ideas and negotiate the cost?

Head to the AIA/DC Chapter House at 1777 Church Street, NW this Saturday, May 9 to get answers to all of these questions and more. From 10:30 to noon, AIA/DC hosts “How to Work with an Architect and a Contractor,” a free workshop to help homeowners with design projects. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online at aiadc.com or by phone at 202-667-1798.

This year’s DC Design House takes over a three-story Victorian on a tree-lined street in Georgetown. The house usually serves as a rectory for St. John’s Episcopal Church, but it took only nine weeks for 16 local designers to transform it into an oasis of big bouquets, bright colors, and bold prints. We visited the Design House when it opened last weekend; here are some highlights: