Do You Need to Spend a Fortune on a Christmas Tree?
This holiday, tens of millions of Americans will lug real and fake trees into their homes, and most will pay more than they did the year before. How much more they have to pay is conditional on tree kind, source, and other criteria. More expensive is not always better when it comes to Christmas trees, and the decision between an artificial and live tree can have a major impact on long-term spending across several holidays.
Here’s all you need to know:
Americans had spent $2 billion on 35 million trees by 2021.
The American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), a non-profit organization, hired Nielsen to study the industry last year. Spending on Christmas trees by American homes in 2021 totaled $984 million for 21.6 million natural trees and $1.01 billion for 12.9 million artificial trees.
The National Christmas Tree Association estimates that there are approximately 350 million Christmas trees grown on 15,000 tree farms in the United States, and that 25 million to 35 million are purchased annually by American households.
Artificial trees are cost-effective in the long run.
Tree purchasers must decide between the convenience and visual appeal of an artificial tree and the allure and incomparable scent of a real one. Concerned consumers should rest easy knowing that both have a small influence on the environment and global warming, as confirmed by the ACTA.
Choose an artificial tree if you’re worried about the price, but only if you can afford it now. Although artificial trees are more expensive upfront, they save money in the long run due to their longer lifespan (most are guaranteed for 20 years versus the ACTA’s average of 10). Five years is all it takes for an artificial tree that costs $400 to pay for itself.
However, this is not the upper limit for artificial trees; their prices can go much higher. The New York Times has announced its recommended reading list for 2022, and the prices range from $270 for the “budget pick” to $1,699 for the “luxury pick.” A lot of times, you get exactly what you pay for.
You can save time and energy when setting up, dismantling, and storing the more expensive models. Although there is nothing quite like a genuine Christmas tree, artificial ones have a few distinct advantages: they stay longer, have more gorgeous and bright lights, and, at the highest end, are wonderfully lifelike.
Why is there Such a Wide Range in the Cost of Real Trees?
It’s typical to find a wide range of prices displayed in stores here, too. Larger trees, as might be expected, are more expensive. While “better” can be objectively defined for artificial trees, it is a matter of opinion when it comes to actual ones. The many uses for trees illustrate the diversity of their species. According to Good Housekeeping, while Douglas firs are the fullest, Fraser firs are the best for ornamental use. There are several different types of Christmas trees, but white firs, Scotch pines, and Norway spruces stand out for their unique qualities.