If you need a Christmas tree to brighten your living room with the smell of freshly-cut pines and a medley of lit ornaments without the typical holiday crowd, you’re in luck.
These decadent evergreens can arrive without you ever setting foot outside of your house, thanks to an array of local delivery services.
Place an order, and the following business will transport a tree straight to your doorstep. Many will even set it up for you, or you can opt for a contactless delivery. There are even some offering recycling services once the holiday season comes to an end.
Here’s where to order a tree for delivery in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
Ross Varanyak helps prepare Christmas trees for customers at Yeager’s Farm in Phoenixville, Pa. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Philadelphia
The Christmas Tree Stand
Choose between a Living Emerald green (3 to 4 inches tall) and Fraser or Douglas firs (3 to 16 feet tall) at the Christmas Tree Stand. Both the Fishtown and West Chester locations offer tree delivery services seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Next-day delivery is available in the city and in select suburbs throughout the region. Visit the website to select the tree type, size, and delivery option. The tree will be transported straight to your doorstep. Upgrade to the premium package to have your tree set up with a stand. Once the holidays pass, you can also schedule a pickup and recycling service in January. Wreaths and garlands are also available for purchase.
Stop by Walt’s Christmas Trees in Northeast Philly for a variety of Fraser, West Coast Douglas, and Pennsylvania Douglas firs. The 47-year-old family business is kicking off its inaugural Christmas delivery season with the help of a third-party service. Visitors can stop by the main location or one of the other five hubs and choose a tree ranging between 5 and 14 feet tall. Once selected, the tree will be delivered for a $40 fee within a 10-mile radius. Delivery will be available until Christmas Eve.
Rob Felker, 34, of South Philadelphia, slams a christmas tree to unveil the size and branches for customers on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Felker is Rocky Yo-Mo’s nephew. “I love Christmas,” Felker said. “I love going up to Pittsburgh and bringing the trees down here so people can have trees in their house.”
Rocky Yo-Mo’s Christmas Trees
Looking for a Christmas tree without sacrificing convenience? Rocky Yo–Mo’s will deliver the tree to your front door for free. Check out the selection (Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday) at the South Philly lot. Decide between a Fraser, concolor, or Douglas fir, and schedule your at-home delivery. Payments are made in cash.
Founded in 2020 with the late Trevor Budny and his brother, Anthony Price, Cousin Eddie’s Tree Delivery is back to dispatch fresh-cut, 6-to-7-foot-tall Douglas firs across the Philadelphia area. Check out their Instagram account @cousin_eddies to view available trees and claim one via direct message.
The trees are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis and are offered until the supply runs out. All trees and sizes come at a flat rate, which includes contactless delivery. Cousin Eddie’s also offers a tree stand and post-holiday removal for an additional charge,
People shop for Christmas trees at Yeager’s Farm in Phoenixville, Pa. on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Suburbs
Yeager’s Farm & Market
The Yeager family has been farming in northern Chester County for 200 years. Pick your tree at this Phoenixville farm, and they’ll deliver it to you. Cut your own Douglas, Fraser, Canaan, concolor, or Nordmann fir for $15 per foot. Fresh-cut 6-to-10-foot-tall Douglas and Fraser firs are available for $50 to $299. Trees will be delivered and set up on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
💵 Cut your own: $15 per foot; fresh cut: $100 to $350,📍1015 Pike Springs Road, Phoenixville, Pa. 19460, 📞 610-935-8244, 🌐 yeagersfarm.com
Colavita Christmas Tree Farm
More than two dozen varieties of trees fill this Yardley farm, offering delivery across Lower Bucks County and other nearby areas. A stand and set up are available for an additional charge.
Call the farm to arrange delivery within your area, or swing by any day of the week (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to cut or choose your own tree, which range from 4 to 12 feet tall. The farm makes fresh wreaths daily, too.
For its 62nd season, this Buckingham farm offers a wide variety of 3-to 17-foot trees. Call to set up delivery in the Doylestown area, or show up at the farm to pick up a precut Fraser, Douglas, and concolor fir. All trees come with a free holiday mug, while supplies last. Farm hours are Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This family-owned business delivers trees throughout the region, with fees starting at $50for areas near West Chester. Any delivery beyond 30 minutes starts at $75. Call ahead for exact pricing to your home, or visit one of the Wiggins’ three farms.
The West Chester location offers Douglas firs ranging from 7 to 8 feet tall, and the Cochranville location has trees from 2 to 10 feet tall. The precut lot at 1301 Westchester Pike in West Chester offers trees between 5 to 11 feet tall for $59 to $229. Purchase with cash, Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
💵 $59 to $229,📍2176 Gap Newport Pike, Cochranville, Pa. 19330, or 1257 Westtown Thornton Road, West Chester, Pa. 19382, 📞 610-344-7822, 🌐 wigginschristmastrees.com
Tom Barrett, 43, of Queen Village, carries a new Christmas tree from Rocky Yo-Mo’s Christmas Trees with his kids Chloe Barrett, 9, and Callum Barrett, 6, to their home on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.
DEAR ABBY: I’m struggling with my integrity and an important friendship. My friend “Beth’s” husband, “Jerry,” came to my house to help with a construction project. After discussing the project, we sat down to visit for a bit. He was very forward with me and overly affectionate. (It’s been 10 years since I’ve had any affection.) He also talked about how affection doesn’t have to “mean anything,” which I believe is true — to an extent. I told him it was inappropriate, but I didn’t stop either of us when Jerry kissed me before leaving.
Part of me was thrilled at being kissed again, even though I know it was wrong. I am sure that I won’t allow it to happen again. I’m afraid to contact him and deliver that message directly, because there’s a chance it wouldn’t be a private message. I couldn’t tolerate Beth knowing this happened. I treasure her friendship. I’ve no idea if Jerry said anything to her about what happened. I’m panicked that I may have lost a treasured friend. Advice?
— AFRAID AND WORRIED
DEAR AFRAID: I do have some. If Jerry behaved this way with you, it is likely that he does this with other women who consult him about construction projects. I don’t think it is necessary for you to inform Beth about what happened, but seriously consider using another construction company for your repairs now and in the future. Jerry appears to be a classic cheater, and you are vulnerable after a long dry spell.
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DEAR ABBY: My son, “Grant,” who is 37, is autistic. My ex-wife removed him from a group home five years ago and took him out of the country. I made a mistake years ago by allowing her to have guardianship. I tried to stop them from leaving. I have had zero communication with my ex or Grant in those five years.
My 40-year-old daughter, her three children and her husband live with me. I have another daughter, age 35, who lives independently. My daughters have been in constant communication with their mother. My ex comes to the U.S. once a year and meets with them.
Both daughters had difficult younger years because Grant was violent. I have a good relationship with both of them. But every time I ask about Grant, I receive angry responses. I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant is no longer alive. I realize I likely don’t have that many more years and may depart this world without knowing anything about him. I haven’t had a photo or a word. Is there anything I can do?
— SAD FATHER IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR SAD FATHER: So your ex-wife and daughters have a code of silence regarding the whereabouts and welfare of your son. How cruel. Of course there’s something you can do. Pick up the phone, discuss this with your lawyer, and ask what information he or she can unearth about Grant. If necessary, hire a private detective to uncover where your ex took him and whether he’s still living. You have my sympathy.
The estate sale of the late lawyer and bibliophile Bill Roberts, whose Rittenhouse townhouse is filled with thousands upon thousands of books and other treasures, opens to the public this week.
Roberts, a longtime lawyer at Blank Rome LLP, was a Renaissance man whose interests — and library — spanned genres and eras, touching on microeconomic theory, beekeeping, botany, classical music, poetry, and much else. When Inquirer columnist Stephanie Farr toured the Delancey Street home earlier this fall, she found books stacked on chairs, tables, carts, shelves, and “piled precariously in pillars, like paperback towers of Pisa.”
The contents of Roberts’ home were meticulously inventoried by Sales by Helen, the Main Line estate sale company, over the past few months.
“It’s cerebral, educated. There’s no Calvin and Hobbes books, unfortunately. As much as I love Calvin and Hobbes,” said John Romani, owner of Sales by Helen.
Roughly 300 of the highest-value books are now on auction in conjunction with Briggs Auction, which will close bidding on Thursday, Dec. 4. That collection includes an atlas of Venice, works on translating Homer, and volumes on lichen, algae, and fungi, among many other topics. Romani said the Briggs books are likely to fetch thousands.
About 250 valuable nonbook items, including Roberts’ Hermès ties, will be available on the Sales by Helen online store beginning on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
But the real thrill, for those who wants to examine the thousands of books and other objects in-person, will begin on Thursday Dec. 4, at 2 p.m., when Roberts’ home will open for the estate sale. Continuing through Sunday, Dec. 7, the sale will feature books, as well as artwork, rugs, and other household items from the upscale home.
Romani said he expects to sell the vast majority of books for flat rates: $3 for paperbacks, $5 for hardbacks, $20 for coffee-table books.
“I’m not saying I planned it that way, but I may have looked and seen when it’s going to be,” Romani said.
Bill Roberts read on many subjects. Here’s one of his books, about butterflies and moths of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In addition to working as a lawyer, Roberts played both the lute and the violin, was a researcher on the botany team for the Academy of Natural Sciences at Drexel University, and was president of the board of directors for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.
When a bookstore near his home closed, he bought its huge shelves and hired a carpenter to transform his home library, The Inquirer wrote in Roberts’ 2024 obituary.
“You’ll find a little bit of everything,” Romani said of the collection. “Just come in, the door’s open, we let everyone in. It’s gonna be fun.”
DEAR ABBY: Our adult daughter has children we adore. She asked if we could help out by watching them for a few hours occasionally, and we jumped at that. We had done this regularly before the delivery of the newest addition (three months ago), and the kids would occasionally spend the night. With the new addition, she wanted us to come to her house to watch them, and that was OK as well — anything to ease her anxiety about leaving the baby.
On our first visit, she asked that we not come early, to allow her time to get ready. The second time, we showed up about 10 minutes early. I didn’t realize we were early. I habitually run slightly late. When she opened the door (hand never leaving the door), she said, “I thought I asked you not to come early.” I handed her the food we had brought for the older children, along with some of her things, and started to head back out, because she announced she would just call their father to get off work early. I kissed her cheek, said “I love you,” and told the children I loved them. Her hand never left the door.
We’ve talked about it since, but she says she did nothing wrong. Now she’s gaslighting me, saying I seemed “off” and asking if I was going through anything. While I was early, I really don’t see how it was such a big deal. She hasn’t asked us to watch them since, and when I’ve invited them over, she says they have plans. Advice, please?
— PUNISHED IN NORTH CAROLINA
DEAR PUNISHED: It is interesting that your daughter is asking whether you were “going through something,” because the opposite may be true. Your daughter may be dealing with emotional problems, a hormone imbalance or having problems coping now that there is a new baby in the mix. If you need an interpreter to give you some insight about the abrupt change in routine, I suggest asking your son-in-law.
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DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, my husband and I were invited to the wedding of a close friend’s daughter. We stayed two nights at the destination and gave a $300 cash gift to the newlyweds. The evening of the wedding, when I went to put my gift into the box for cards and gifts, the big wooden box was gone. The bartender said the couple had already taken it to their room, but he would take the envelope and make sure they got it. I gave it to him.
After six months, I hadn’t received a thank-you note, so I asked my friend if the couple had gotten my gift. I told her I was concerned because it was cash and I had given it to the bartender. She asked her daughter, who told her to tell me, “We got it.” Since then, my friendship with this friend seems to have become very distant. Tell me, was I wrong?
— MYSTIFIED IN NEW YORK
DEAR MYSTIFIED: You weren’t wrong. Considering the odd circumstances, you did exactly the right thing by asking if the cash had been received. Your friend, however, may have interpreted your question as criticism of her daughter because, after six months, you hadn’t received an acknowledgment of your generous gift.
Talk about a great kick off to the holiday shopping season.
“I’m honored, proud, and excited,” Ellen Shepp said Monday morning. “I mean … I’m really over the moon.”z
Walking into a great clothing store, New York Times cultural trend reporter Steven Kurutz said, is like being “transported to a different world.” It “will make you think about who you are — and may change that perspective in real time.”
The interior of Joan Shepp at 1905 Walnut St. The 53-year-old store made the New York Times’ list of “50 Best Clothing Stores in America.”
And yes, walking into Rittenhouse Square’s Joan Shepp does feel like stepping into a sartorial fairytale, which you can leave holding a Yohji Yamamoto hoodie that doubles as a dress, or a perfectly tailored asymmetrical shirt dress from Sacai New York.
Everything is dreamy, but nothing comes cheap.
Back in the 1970s, Shepp opened her store to challenge the way the suburban career woman dressed in Philly and introduced her to designer wear, from Yohji Yamamoto to Maison Margiela. One of the earliest entrepreneurs to embrace the store-within-a-store approach to retail, Shepp made space for collections like Yamamoto’s Y-3 and Donna Karan’s Urban Zen.
The clothing sold alongside furniture, bedding, and candles, making Joan Shepp one of the region’s earliest concept boutiques.
Joan Shepp founded the store in 1971. She was a 30-year-old single mother of two young children in need of a flexible work schedule that allowed her time for school pickup and drops, to help her daughters with homework, and make them dinner.
Joan Shepp and her daughter Ellen Shepp, shown here in their Center City store.
“I have so much fun finding things that are new,” she said to The Inquirer in 2022. “I listen to everyone who comes into my store. I watch them go through the racks. And whether/if they are a customer or a person who wants to open a store down the street, I can pick up on it.”
Hers is the only store on the Times list from the Philly region.
The closest is 7017 Reign in Fort Lee, N.J., described by the Times as an “under the radar, street and high fashion” specialty store. There are a handful of stores from downtown New York, but most are in the Midwest and California.
To produce the list, the Times team selected 120 stores, and then sent reporters, editors, and contributors to visit each of them, sometimes more than once.
A videographer visited Joan Shepp in early fall, shortly after the store moved to its new home at 1905 Walnut St.
Noting that Joan Shepp has been in business for more than 50 years — the specialty boutique is in the midst of celebrating its 53rd year — Kurutz wrote “Shepp has flavors of Barneys New York in its heyday.”
The Barney comparison wowed Ellen Shepp. Christmas had no doubt arrived early for the boutique owner and her team.
“The whole time they were like, ‘Listen we don’t know whether/if you made this list,’” she said. “They kept it a mystery until right this second.”
The biggest question of Christmas isn’t whether Santa Claus exists. It’s whether to display a real or a fake Christmas tree.
Though many households in the United States have switched to artificial ones, for the purists who splurge each year on the real thing, it’s time to start shopping.
The Philadelphia region offers a number of farms where you can cut down your own tree or find a wide selection of pre-cut varieties — including delivery.
We’ve found farms across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, all within about an hour of Center City. And we’ve included a couple of options where you can buy a fresh-cut tree right in Philadelphia, too. Here’s where to get a real Christmas tree in the region.
Rocky Yo-Mo of South Philadelphia, owner of Rocky YoMo’s Christmas Trees, takes a photo with Britni Volkman of South Philadelphia, with the tree she purchased in 2019.
Looking for fresh-cut Frasier firs in Philly? Check out Rocky YoMo’s selection in South Philly at Front Street and Washington Avenue. Payments are done in cash. If you don’t have a car, you can still pick a tree and get it delivered to your home for free.
While most people buy their Christmas trees from nearby farms, this pop-up tree seller sources them from the places they’re native to. For instance, Trev’s Trees gets its Douglas firs from places like Oregon and Pennsylvania, its Fraser firs from North Carolina, and its balsams from near Lake Erie. This means you get high-quality pre-cut trees with ease. Typical sizes cost around $120 or less, but Trev’s also offers trees reaching 13- or 14-feet tall for up to $350.
The Christmas Tree Stand is a family business known for its delivery and setup services. They specialize in premium Fraser and Douglas firs, from cozy 3-foot apartment-friendly options to grand 15-foot showstoppers. Visit the Fishtown or West Chester locations to select your perfect tree, or schedule a Christmas tree delivery on the website. Next-day delivery options are available in most areas for orders placed by 4 p.m.
💵 $75 and up,📍Fishtown: 1727 N. Front St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19122 or 📍West Chester: 62 E. Street Rd., West Chester, Pa. 19382, ⌚ West Chester: Mon.-Fri., 1 p.m.-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., or ⌚ Fishtown: Mon.-Fri., 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., noon-8 p.m. 🌐 thechristmastreestand.com
This Yardley farm offers a dozen varieties of trees. Swing by any day of the week, before 4:30 p.m., to choose your own tree for staff to cut, or select a pre-cut option. And if you need delivery, call to schedule. The farm makes fresh wreaths daily, too.
This Buckingham farm is entering its 62nd holiday season with a wide variety of trees. Visit the farm to pick a pre-cut tree or balled and burlapped tree and claim a free holiday mug while supplies last. Cut your own blue spruce, Fraser fir, white pine, or Norway spruce on the first two weekends of the season. There is also a holiday shop.
An hour west of Philadelphia is Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm, a 25-acre family business offering Douglas, Canaan, and Fraser firs, pre-cut or take a wagon out to cut one yourself. Prices are based on the tree height. Once there, you can check out the 3,000-square-foot gift shop, with more than 100,000 items including decorative ornaments like bearded dragons, horseshoe crabs, and dinosaurs.
Hop onto a wagon to the cut-your-own (saws provided) tree section of this 200-acre Chester County farm, which is open Friday through Sunday. Choose from a variety of firs, like Douglas, Frazier, and Canaan, as well as blue spruce and Norway spruce. Wreaths, decorations, and other items are available at the gift shop. Tree bailing and help loading your vehicle also offered, and pets on a leash welcome.
Take a tour across 55 acres, pick your favorite pre-cut or cut-your-own tree, and warm up with free hot cocoa. At any given time, at least four varieties of trees are for sale, as well as a selection of wreaths.
This family-owned business has two locations to cut your own tree plus a pre-cut tree lot. The West Chester farm offers Douglas firs averaging 7-feet tall, and the Cochranville location has trees up to 10-feet tall. The pre-cut lot in West Chester has Douglas and Fraser firs up to 12 feet available daily (Pre-cut lot: Mon.-Fri., 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-9 p.m.) at 1301 West Chester Pike.
Cut your own Fraser, Douglas, Nordmann, concolor, or Canaan fir, or pick out a fresh-cut Douglas or Fraser fir at this Phoenixville farm. For folks looking for family-friendly activities, hayrides run every weekend 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Santa visits between noon to 3 p.m. on select weekends. Plus, enjoy a drive ($25-$30 per vehicle) or hayride ($15 per person) through the holiday light show a mile long across the 60-acre Christmas tree farm. There are so many lights that the owners lost count at well over 100,000.
Linvilla returns with free family hayrides to the Christmas tree fields, where you can cut your own trees daily (Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Most trees are Douglas firs ranging from 5- to 8-feet tall. Offering more varieties, Linvilla’s pre-cuts are also available daily with extended hours on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12. Be sure to stop by Linvilla’s Farm Market, where you’ll find baked goods, gift baskets, and more. Make it an all-day adventure by visiting the winter makers market (Fri.-Sun., through Dec. 21) and the ice-skating rink ($13 per person). Santa will also make appearances.
Corkum Tree Farm has delighted patrons for more than 30 years. Enjoy hot cider as you take your pick of cut-your-own Douglas fir, white pine, and blue and Norway spruce trees. There are four varieties of pre-cut fir trees to select from. Inside the barn, you’ll find fresh wreaths and holly and hand-knit hats, scarves, and mittens, and fair-trade ornaments. A second farm location offers choose-and-cut trees up to 14-feet tall.
💵 $13 per foot, $60-$200 for balled and burlapped trees,📍Main farm: 797 Bridge Rd., Collegeville, Pa. 19426, or 📍 Second farm: 3934 Mill Rd., Collegeville, Pa. 19426 ⌚ Main farm: Mon.-Tues., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed.-Thurs., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-6 p.m., or ⌚ Second farm: Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 📞 610-715-4640, 🌐 corkumtreefarm.com
About 30 miles from Center City, Hague’s offers cut-your-own Nordmann fir, Scotch pine, white pine, Eastern red cedar, white spruce, or blue spruce trees, and a variety of pre-cut trees. (Cut-your-own ends before 4:30 p.m. each day.) Be sure to shop the award-winning handmade wreaths and check out wreath-making and tree-decorating classes in the heated barn.
A fourth-generation, 160-acre farm, Westlake offers pre-cut and cut-your-own Canaan or concolor firs. Afterward, check out the Christmas Barn, where families can enjoy a complimentary visit with Santa (through Dec. 7), watch trains, and browse an assortment of ornaments and gifts.
You’d have to walk 13 miles to see every tree in this farm’s 16-acre field in Gloucester County. Cut your own with a provided saw or bring your own. All trees on the farm are available for purchase — all priced at $60 no matter the size. The farm strongly recommends that you arrive before 4 p.m.
Offering pre-cut and cut-your-own trees, Exley’s welcomes families to two locations for Christmas trees and holiday activities. On weekends at the Sewell farm, you can hop on a hayride to Santa Land and see holiday-themed houses. The Monroeville farm has a gingerbread house and other holiday attractions perfect for photo opportunities. Both farms feature visits with Santa on weekends.
💵 Depends on the size,📍 1535 Tanyard Rd., Sewell, N.J. 08080 or📍1512 Monroeville Rd., Monroeville, N.J. 08343, ⌚ Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for pre-cut; Fri.-Sun. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. for cut-your-own, 📞 856-468-5949, 🌐 exleyschristmastreefarms.com
Pick a tree and enjoy a sleigh ride along a decorated path toward the Christmas trees at this small, family-owned farm in Gloucester County. Blue and Norway spruces and concolor and Canaan firs are available to cut yourself or get a pre-cut, with no tree more than 9 feet. Cash and Venmo only.
💵 $80 and under,📍 101 Idle Lake Rd., Franklinville, N.J. 08322, ⌚ Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 📞 609-685-6234, 🌐 facebook.com
This article has been updated since it was first published. Former staff writers Grace Dickinson and Jillian Wilson contributed to this article, as did Steven White.
DEAR ABBY: I am a stepgrandmother of a disabled granddaughter, “Laura,” who has Down syndrome. She is 38. A few years ago, she weighed more than 300 pounds at only 5 feet tall. She ended up in the hospital with blood clots and almost died. The courts gave guardianship to her dad, my son-in-law. Laura’s mother has visitation with Laura only one day a week for four hours.
When they are together, she feeds Laura so much junk food that when Laura comes home, she gets sick. Her dad has spoken to his ex-wife about this issue, but she continues to do it even though she knows the doctors have said Laura has an eating disorder. In the past few years, my daughter has worked hard to help Laura, and now Laura is down to 140 pounds. How can they get her mother on board to help Laura and stop giving her all this stuff that makes her so sick?
— LOOKING ON IN OHIO
DEAR LOOKING ON: Laura’s mother appears to have mental problems, which may be why her visitations are limited. Although feeding her daughter junk food may be the way she tries to show love, preventing her from losing the weight she needs to in order to be healthy is dangerous. Your son needs to explain what’s going on to Laura’s doctors and to the judge who decided how long and how often Laura’s mother is allowed to see her. A solution might be that those visits must be SUPERVISED. Please suggest this.
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DEAR ABBY: I’ve hosted a live podcast for years. It’s my creative outlet, my therapy. Recently, my wife gave me an ultimatum. I am not allowed to host the podcast anymore, or she’ll divorce me. She says it’s for “us,” not her. Her reason is mostly because I preach atheism as well as discuss many other topics.
She’s a Christian. I was a Christian when we met and married, but I am no longer. I want to respect her faith, but I feel this is too much for her to ask. My show is a piece of what I want to share and document with the world. It’s only a few hours’ commitment a week, and I don’t do much else as far as recreation or hobbies. I am employed and responsible, and I fulfill all my duties as a husband.
I’m terrified of losing either the show or my marriage. Is this a fair thing for my wife to demand? I have chosen to stop hosting the show for now, and I’m unhappy. I’d like my wife’s blessing so I can continue. Is there anything you would recommend?
— HOST IN EXILE
DEAR HOST: I don’t know how far away in exile you are, but if you live within the borders of the United States, there is a certain amount of freedom of speech here. Living according to your wife’s dictate leaves you frustrated and unhappy. You have the right to express yourself, and you have an audience who appreciates it. If she chooses to divorce you over this, you may find it’s a relief. Call her bluff. If you do, you may discover you are happier following your own path rather than hers.
But what will the celebrity couple wear? Will Swift choose a strapless sheath or a princess gown with a halter bodice? Will she opt for a simple sheath? Perhaps a sparkling fishtail.
Do we see Kelce in a classic tux or an easy linen suit sans tie?
We asked fashion students — and Tayvis fans — at Drexel University, Moore College of Art and Design, and Thomas Jefferson University to sketch America’s favorite couple’s wedding day looks and share their inspirations.
Swifties picture their girl in gowns ranging from fanciful to architectural. And they envision Kelce donning classic or casual suiting with funky NFL detailing.
We combed through the selection and picked our favorites. Swifties, it’s time to vote for yours.
Taylor Swift’s wedding dress
Abigayle Brubaker, 21, Senior, Jefferson University
Abigayle Brubaker’s asymmetrical gown design features three tiers of ruffles along the right side complemented with a deep slit. It’s to be fashioned from silk satin and illusion mesh with hand-beaded crystals along its petal-shaped tiers. “It is slightly understated, to reflect how Swift often separates her personal life from her stardom,” Brubaker said in her design notes. “But it does have a few elements inspired by her career.”
For instance, she says, the strapless silhouette is areference to the custom Schiaparelli Swift wore to the 2024 Grammys and the floral print on the trio of tiers is reminiscent of the floral appliqued Oscar de la Renta mini Swift rocked at the 2021 Grammys. “Overall the dress exudes luxury and encompasses Swift’s style,” Brubaker explained, “while remaining traditional and elegant.”
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Caroline Wickramaratna, 20, Junior, Jefferson University
Inspired by a vintage wedding cake, junior Caroline Wickramaratna, said the layered designs in this super-constructed frock “represent the tiers” of the classic dessert. The asymmetrical one-shouldered neckline speaks to the Kansas City Chiefs red Vivienne Westwood number Swift wore to the 2025 Grammys. Structured and fluid, the gown, Wickramaratna said, is a “testament to Swift’s layered personality.”
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Ensaam Farraj, 22, Senior, Moore College of Art and Design
An off-the-shoulder, corseted bodice over a full princess skirt gives Ensaam Farraj’s design a hefty dose of delicate whimsy, while the floral designs etched in layers of ivory tulle give it its sweetness.
“Taylor is known for weaving romance, nostalgia, and fairy-tale imagery into both her music and personal style,” Farraj wrote. “The soft, off-the-shoulder sleeves, delicate corset bodice, and flowing embroidered skirt capture the same ethereal poetic energy, like a gown straight from her love songs.”
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Gabbi Feaster, 21, Senior, Drexel University
Swift’s dramatic capes, structured bodices, and removable skirts were among the most memorable parts of Swift’s wildly successful “Eras Tour.”
Feaster incorporates the quick change feature — and boy shorts — into her wedding gown. After all, a girl might want a new look when she transitions from the ceremony to the reception. The gauzy silks in the flowing cape and train hearken back to Swift’s softer early pop style, Feaster said.
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Who designed your favorite Swift dress?
Thanks for voting
Travis Kelce’s wedding outfit
Isabella Borst, 20, Junior, Jefferson University
The sporty tuxedo — fashioned from dark linen — features a wide lapel jacket and roomy trousers. The look, inspired by the football field, Borst said, would feature aggressive seams running along the arms and the legs, mimicking field lines on NFL turf.
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Carly Marquess, 21, Junior, Jefferson University
Gold chains would be a great touch to Kelce’s look, said Carly Marquess. Kelce’s classic black tuxedo’s golden chains were inspired by the lyrics in Swift’s 2020 hit “Invisible String”: “One silver thread of gold tied me to you.”
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Kyle Bakonyi, 25, Class of 2025, Drexel University
Kyle Bakonyi’s broad-shouldered silhouette reimagines the classic tuxedo. “The wrapped lapel and draped silk cravat instead of a tie gives the look a bold modern twist,” he said. The piece, Bakonyi said, would be crafted from a silk and wool blend. Straight-legged trousers give the full-shouldered look balance.
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Ensaam Farraj, 22, Senior, Moore College of Art and Design
Ensaam Farraj imagines Kelce in a slim cut midnight blue tux with white rose or gardenia boutonniere, plucked from Swift’s bridal bouquet. The suit’s silk lining, Farraj said, would include lyrics from Swift’s love songs and a map of the world featuring the couple’s favorite vacation spots. “His look would be luxe, but refined,” she added.
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DEAR ABBY: My son is 27. He has had some problems recently that were so serious I reached out to his father. His father and I were teenagers when we had him, so the last time we spoke was 18 years ago. Our relationship was really toxic, which is why we split when we were young. (We both had other children.) Since we’ve begun talking again, we have shared that the relationships we’re in now aren’t good. Mine is verbally and emotionally abusive. (He used to be physically abusive until two years ago.)
Abby, all my feelings for my ex have come back, and he says he feels the same. We’re different people now. We haven’t taken it any further than talking and texting. I’m so confused. I don’t know if I should end the relationship I’m in and give it another go with my ex, or leave it alone.
— HOPELESS ROMANTIC IN TEXAS
DEAR HOPELESS ROMANTIC: You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by ending a relationship that’s emotionally and verbally abusive. If your ex is sincere about what he has been telling you, he may want to end his unhappy relationship as well. IF you decide to move forward with what you’re considering, I STRONGLY urge you to get to know him first. Couples counseling can help you accomplish it, considering the baggage you are both carrying from the first time around.
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DEAR ABBY: While we were growing up, my father was abusive toward me and favored my younger sister. He said she was “too dumb to be successful,” so he pushed me mercilessly (punishing me when I wasn’t perfect) and mostly left her alone. As an adult, I finally found the strength to ask him to treat me right.
I suggested we go to family counseling to improve our communication. My father agreed initially, then said he was too busy (he’s retired) and refused to go. He then cut me off and announced to the family that he was disowning me. My sister believes his story that I cut him off. Since she was never treated poorly, she doesn’t believe that I was. How can I continue my relationship with her, while she remains close with him?
— ESTRANGED IN FLORIDA
DEAR ESTRANGED: You can try to get other family members who remember the dynamic between you and your father to vouch for the fact that you are telling your sister the truth. However, if that’s not possible, and you want to maintain a relationship with her, then you will have to agree to make the subject of Dear Old Dad something you do not discuss.
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DEAR ABBY: How should I respond to close friends — a couple — who are extremely nosy? Recently, the husband asked me if any of my siblings are citizens of the country my now-deceased parents emigrated from. When I replied no, he proceeded to ask me why. I was caught off guard by his rudeness and couldn’t answer. They both do this. I have mentioned previously that I’m very private about my family, yet they persist. How do I stop this rude behavior?
— NOSY FRIENDS
DEAR NOSY: The next time you are asked something you feel is none of their business, respond by saying, “Why do you ask?” And when they answer, say, “That’s very personal,” and change the subject.
In northern Massachusetts, just below the Vermont border, the Berkshires have been a four-season destination for as long as tourism has existed in America. Over the last couple of decades, greasy spoons, summer camps, and old motor lodges have given way to trendier offerings across North Adams, Lenox, and Williamstown.
The region’s recent renaissance coincides with its rise as a cultural hub — and, more recently, an escape hatch for New Yorkers and Bostonians during the pandemic. Why should they have all the fun? At roughly four hours from Philly, the Berkshires make an easy late-fall weekend trip. You may still catch a few lingering leaves, and with any luck, an early dusting of snow. Dress warm — you’ll want plenty of time outdoors.
With its low-slung, mid-century silhouette, TOURISTS Welcome almost blends into the forested landscape behind Route 2. That’s intentional, since this property (reborn in 2018 from a 1960s motor lodge) is all about the outdoors, offering guided Appalachian Trail hikes, waterfall meditations, and a cinematic suspension bridge strung across the Hoosic River. Inside, Scandi-meets-rustic comfort reigns: fireplaces, worn-in leather, raw wood, and window nooks perfect for reading. It works just as well for families (skip the amaro cocktails) as it does for weekending stylists.
While the picturesque landscapes bring many to the Berkshires, MASS MoCA has functioned as the area’s other magnet since its debut in 1999. Located in a former industrial mill complex, it’s one of the most lauded contemporary visual art museums in the country, filled with (and sometimes seemingly constructed from) colossal installations you can literally get lost in. Don’t miss the immersive light works by James Turrell.
Just a short walk from MASS MoCA, Steeple City Social lures visitors with the scent of cinnamon and coffee — and a menu that runs from thick biscuit sandwiches and sticky buns to savory cheddar-and-pickle scones. The pies by the slice are excellent, and a rotating selection of vintage housewares lines one wall. At night, the café shifts to spritzy cocktails and potatoes with caviar dip.
📍 5 Eagle St., North Adams, Mass. 01247
Walk: The Clark Institute Sculpture Park
Not to be outdone by MASS MoCA, the Clark Institute is the other destination museum of the Berkshires, with a collection of American and English art that includes a striking bronze cast of Degas’ Little Dancer. But the real magic — especially for families — lies outside. Its 140-acre sculpture park is free, filled with meadows, storybook woods, and walking trails that are especially enchanting with a little snow on the ground. The museum provides snowshoes.
Pop a bottle of sour quince, crabapple-and-McIntosh pét-nat, sparkling rosé, or one of the other exciting ciders at Berkshire Cider Project. The young cidery’s tasting room is open on Saturdays and Sundays at Greylock WORKS, a former textile mill-turned-artisan hive.
📍 508 State Rd., North Adams, Mass. 01247
Splurge: Miraval Berkshires
A Relax & Renew day pass at Miraval Berkshires — a nationally respected spa retreat in Lenox — isn’t cheap ($509 Sundays–Fridays; $539 Saturdays). But it includes $230 in credits for treatments (mineral body peels, birch-and-juniper foot massages), fee-based activities (falconry, golf), scheduled classes (yoga, rock climbing), full access to spa amenities, lunch, and gratuities. You can easily spend the entire day here. Consider it an early holiday gift to yourself.
If you love a cozy pub, you’ll love Water Street Grill. Historic building? Check. Friendly hospitality that makes you feel like a regular? Check. Creamy clam chowder you’d be happy to drown in? Check. At WSG, which lives in a wood-clad, century-old building, the 21 taps spout craft beers from here and away, the wings wear eight different sauces, and the meatloaf comes smothered in bourbon-kissed mushroom gravy.
