As the holiday season approaches, Americans are gearing up for festive celebrations, but this year, the cost of Christmas trees is set to hit wallets hard, according to a recent release from the American Christmas Tree Association, as reported by Newsweek.
The average price of a Christmas tree has surged by 10 percent compared to last year, with shoppers expected to pay between $80 and $100 for their holiday centerpiece.
Even those opting for artificial trees are not immune to the impact on their wallets, as estimated prices range from $85 to $1,000, varying based on factors such as producer, retailer, size, and shape.
The American Christmas Tree Association conducted a survey revealing that 78 percent of consumers are concerned about inflation this year.
Despite these worries, a resounding 94 percent of respondents stated that they still plan to have at least one Christmas tree in their homes, with 77 percent opting for artificial trees.
Artificial trees are a choice for people in the comments, with one pointing out, “Of course, if you bought an artificial tree last year, the cost this year will be…nothing.”
Another also voiced their approval for artificial trees, saying, “Or we could simply stop putting up dead trees in our living rooms.”
The price hike is attributed to increased costs for Christmas tree suppliers, as reported by almost all growers surveyed by the Real Christmas Tree Board. Rising input costs have led to higher prices for consumers.
Of course, if you absolutely need to have a real tree for Christmas, one person in the comments offered a nice solution: “Trees are free. Who pays for a tree? Just drive out to the woods and cut one down.”
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Jami Warner, the Executive Director of the American Christmas Tree Association, advised consumers to shop early to beat the holiday rush and find the perfect tree. This year, many consumers, especially those worried about inflation, are purchasing their holiday décor well ahead of the traditional shopping season in November and December.
These escalating tree prices coincide with Americans preparing for the financial impact of the holiday season. A survey by the Bank of Montreal found that 74 percent of Americans believe inflation will prompt them to buy fewer holiday gifts this year.
Nearly 40 percent of respondents stated they would be buying less expensive gifts, with 26 percent reducing the number of gifts on their holiday lists.
Over half of the survey participants (55 percent) expressed the intention to take on debt to cover their holiday shopping, underscoring the financial strain many are feeling during this festive time. As you can imagine, people in the comments were shocked by this fact.
Kim Scouller, a certified financial educator and author, warned against overspending during the holidays, emphasizing that failing to exercise restraint can lead to long-lasting effects on personal finances.
Scouller urged consumers to set specific expectations, suggesting that scaling back on expensive gifts and food might be necessary to avoid the stress of accumulating debt.
The situation seems grim, but the jokes don’t stop in the comments. One person was confused by the article saying, “I thought the Elon Musk ox bought Christmas and changed it to X-mas, formerly known as Christmas.” We have to admit that is a good one.
As the holiday season approaches, Americans are faced not only with the joyous spirit of celebrations but also with the harsh reality of economic challenges.
The rising costs of Christmas trees serve as a tangible example of the broader financial pressures many are grappling with during this festive time. One commenter on the original article summed it up perfectly: “Don’t worry. Everything else costs more too. Thanks, Joe.”
