There's nothing a little elbow grease, a bit of holiday cheer, and a single handsaw can't take down.

Feeling a little Grinch-ish this year and searching for an outlet to release that pent-up anger? Hint: cutting down your own Christmas tree might turnout to be just as therapeutic as it is festive. Here's where to get your Griswold on in the Bay Area

Grandma Buddy's Tree Farm (North Bay)

Starting with their first sapling in 1982, Hazel and her husband Gilbert have epitomized the meaning of the mom-and-pop tree farm; it's been in the family for more than 30 years despite both their passings. Grandma Buddy's Tree Farm is a "U-Cut" experience for the whole family. Between the miniature Christmas village, complete with a train, barns, "garland farm," and acres of evergreens, even the most rambunctious two-year-old will expend more than enough energy here to make the ride home rather peaceful. Try to get there before 5 p.m. to see the sun begin to set over the treeline! // Open daily from 9am to 5:30pm, 8575 Graton Rd. (Sebastopol), grandmastrees.com.

Pro Tip: Most Christmas tree farms will sell all their most desirable trees in the first two weeks after Thanksgiving. Don't procrastinate or you'll get get the gimpy Charlie Brown tree.

Little Christmas Tree Farm (Wine Country)

There's nothing subtle about watching a 12-foot fir body slam the mulch beneath it. A longtime favorite among Christmas tree connoisseurs, the Little Christmas Tree Farm should be a high-item on anyone's list. Noble, Turkish, and Douglas firs are all available as pre-cuts; Monterey pines, Sierra redwoods, and Leyland cypresses are reserved for "choose and cuts." But, really, you can't go wrong with any of them. // Open 10am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends, 961 Chapman Ln. (Petaluma), littlechristmastreefarm.com.

Pro Tip: Worried about fire and fed-up with having to water your tree everyday? Consider "flocking" your tree after cutting it down. Basically, the tree's inundated with artificial, fire-resistant snow that clings to the evergreen's flammable needles and branches like super glue. Aside from preventing future kindling, the flocking also helps the tree keep its water reserves!

Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm (East Bay)

There's nothing quite like the rhythmic sound of a saw in motion. Castro Valley Christmas Tree Farm's hillsides are alive with just that sound of music. Here, you're encouraged to walk through the acres of dense firs, eye your favorite, and saw gently away until it can be dragged to your car. An undiluted U-Cut experience (there's no barn or chicken coop or horse pasture to distract your lumberjack vibes), this place offers a slice of tranquility in the ever-bustling Bay Area. // Open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 5pm and Friday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm, 7001 Miller Rd. (Castro Valley), cvchristmastreefarm.com.

Pro-tip: Most of the Bay Area's pre-cut trees (Douglas, Turkish, and noble firs) are shipped, already cut, from tree farms in Oregon where the nitrogen-rich top soil helps grow dense, thick branches that are perfect for catching tinsel and stringing garlands.

Santa's Tree Farm (South Bay)

Story time, train rides, candy canes, oh my! There's little you won't find at Santa's Tree Farm—including U-Cut trees. They have an unusual selection of California native evergreens, but the farm's concolor (white) firs are in a league of their own! (As far as we know, they may be the only tree farm currently offering this holiday favorite in the Bay Area this year.) Be sure to make the trip soon before they sellout! // Open weekdays from 9am to 5pm and Weekends from 8am to 5pm, 78 Pilarcitos Creek Rd. (Half Moon Bay), santastreefarm.com

Larsen's Christmas Tree Farm (North Bay)

Century old Larsen's Christmas Tree Farm offers a large selection of choose and cut tree varieties including Monterey Pines, Leyland Cypress, and Monterey Cypress, plus a selection of fresh pre-cut firs. Any tree you saw down on the lot can be yours for just $56.95, and carts are available to help you make the trek back to your car. Plus, pick up wreaths, Christmas decor—and even baked goods on weekends—at the farm. // Open Friday through Sunday from 9am to 5pm, 391 Marshall St. (Petaluma), petalumachristmas.com.

Battaglia Ranch (East Bay)

At family owned Battaglia Ranch, you'll find plenty of choose and chop Leyland and Monterey Cypress and Monterey Pine trees to suit your fancy and a selection of precut firs from Oregon if you're not down to do the dirty work. After grabbing your tree, take a ten minute trip around the 20 acre ranch via 1946 Ford train or a reindeer ride complete with plenty of holiday songs and stories, or warm up with some hot cocoa from the onsite Gift Shop. // Open from 9am to 7pm, 13580 Murphy Ave. (San Martin), battagliaranch.com.

Pro Tip: The farms listed above will provide all the necessary utilities to chop your own tree. However, we urge you to bring a large blanket or a few towels to line the roof of your car to protect it from scratches and scuffs.