Despite all the worries about inflation and the economic situation, Americans do not skimp on a central element of many of their celebrations this holiday season: the Christmas tree.
Retailers from Home Depot and Lowes to mom-and-pop businesses have raised prices for trees, but people continue to buy them.
Several Christmas tree growers were concerned about external factors — high fuel, fertilizer and labor costs — but rediscovered that this Christmas ornament is largely inflation-proof, even as Americans cut spending on retail stores last month.
The cost of an average-sized Christmas tree offered by the local Rotary Club in South Portland, Maine, is $70, $5 more than last year.
A survey of 55 of the nation’s largest Christmas tree wholesalers found that virtually all intended to raise their prices, with most wholesale price increases in the 5% to 15% range, although some of the increases were 21 percent or more, according to the Real Christmas Tree Board in Howell, Michigan, which does marketing and research for the industry.
But another survey found that 85% of people believe Christmas trees are worth the price despite price increases, according to the organization.
That suggests that a tree—whether natural or artificial—remains a necessary part of the Christmas tradition, as are Christmas toys, cards, Christmas carols, and ugly sweaters.
Ultimately, about 21 million real Christmas trees will have been sold by the time consumers finish shopping in the final days leading up to Christmas, putting those sales on par with last year’s strong performance, said Jill Sidebottom of the National Christmas Tree Association.
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