Preparing for the holidays? Don't wait until the last minute to buy your tree and get stuck with slim pickings a few days before Christmas. Bookmark this list of Christmas tree farms in Little Rock and central Arkansas, instead!

In addition to choosing your tree straight from the crop, most Christmas tree farms offer other fun activities, like hay rides, visits with Santa and the option of chopping down your own Christmas tree, Paul Bunyan-style. When your family has slept off the memories of turkey and Black Friday, here's where to buy a Christmas tree in Little Rock and central Arkansas.

Motley’s Christmas Tree Farm in Little Rock

Hop on a free wagon ride into the tree farm to chop down your very own Christmas tree —saws are provided. Or, choose the perfect “Living Christmas Tree,” which comes in a potted container and can be planted outdoors after the holiday season. Families can also enjoy kid-friendly activities like pig races and a farm zoo. And, in the gift shop, choose from thousands of ornaments to adorn your freshly cut tree. Don't forget to stop by the snack bar for treats!

13724 Sandy Ann Drive, Little Rock. Open Nov. 17-Dec. 16: 1-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closed on Thanksgiving Day. For info: 501-888-1129, MotleysTreeFarm.com.

Papa Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Benton

Located on the outskirts of Benton, this quaint farm provides saws for adventurous visitors to cut down their own trees. Families can also go on a wagon ride, snack on free candy canes and sip complimentary hot cocoa and cider (or lemonade for warmer days). Trees are up to 10 feet are $6 a foot and trees 10 feet or taller are $7 a foot. There is a free merry-go-round and dogs are welcome, provided they stay on a leash. 

Santa will be at the farm every Saturday Nov. 24-Dec. 15 from 2 p.m.-dark. Bring your camera and capture your own photo memories with Santa.

4976 Warford Road, Benton. Open Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 17-Dec. 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and on black Friday, Nov. 23. For info: 501-779-1062, Facebook.com/PapaSantasChristmasTreeFarm.

Romance Christmas Tree Farm in Romance

This small farm near Rose Bud offers Leyland Cypress, Fraser Firs and Virigina Pines. Plus, they offer free cocoa, candy, coloring books and a tractor-pulled cow train for the kiddos. Pre-tagging has already begun, but tree cutting begins Nov. 23.

1238 Hwy. 5 N., Romance. Open daily Nov. 23-Dec. 16, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For info: 501-556-5173, RomanceChristmasTreesFarm.com.

Holiday Forest Christmas Tree Farm in Jacksonville

This choose-and-cut operation offers free hayrides, free hot spiced tea, pine boughs, candy canes and free shaking and netting. Virginia pine, leyland cypress, eastern white pine are grown at the farm. Although the holiday forest is open on weekends only, but arrangements can be made to open the farm during the week.

8817 Dorsey Road, Jacksonville. Open Nov. 24 through December 16; 9 a.m.-dusk on Saturdays, 1 p.m. to dusk on Sundays. For info: 501-224-3797.

Bradbury Christmas Tree Farm in Mabelvale

The Bradburys open up their 35-acre farm to guests during the holiday season. Thousands of trees are available in the following varieties: Virginia pine, leyland cypress and Fraser fir. Candy canes and coloring books are given to kids and Christmas wreaths are available as well.

9427 Donna Lane, Mabelvale. Open Nov. 23-Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. every day. For info: 501-602-2449, ArkTreeGrowers.com.