5 Tips for Choosing a Beautiful and Budget Christmas Tree

If you have a Christmas tree on your holiday shopping list, this year you should expect higher prices and more crowds at holiday tree sales locations than usual.

Фото: Depositphotos

There will be fewer Christmas trees this year due to weather conditions in different parts of the country, said Doug Hundley, spokesman for the industry group National Christmas Tree Association. You may encounter slightly higher prices—for example, they went up 4% (or about $3) last year. Something similar is expected this time, writes Grow.

Thanksgiving this year also falls at a later time, which in turn also limits the typical shopping season.

“Expect to see more people at tree farms since the season is only 4 weeks instead of the usual 5,” says Sarah Vera, a data analyst at payments processor Square.

Therefore, if you have a clear idea of ​​what kind of Christmas tree you want to see in your house, you should take care of this issue.

“Trees are going to sell quickly this year,” Hundley says.

Here's how to get a great tree for a reasonable price.

1. Do not buy a Christmas tree before Cyber ​​Monday

Don't fall for Black Friday tricks. Based on sales analysis of thousands of farmers and Christmas tree sellers across the country, Square payment processor found that Christmas tree prices were highest from Black Friday (November 29) to Cyber ​​Monday (December 2). The price is steadily falling, approaching Christmas, according to Vera, although a more limited offer makes risky the wait until the last minute.

Square has developed a calculator that allows you to evaluate the best day to buy a Christmas tree, based on where you live, how much money you want to spend and how long you would like the fir tree to stay fresh. For example, if you live in the Midwest and want to buy a tree that has been idle for more than 3 weeks, the Square calculator estimates that December is the best day to buy. On this day last year, a tree was worth 4 dollars.

2. Measure space

Buying a tree that is too large for your premises can be an expensive mistake. Therefore, before leaving the house, get a tape measure.

“Make sure you know how much space you need before you go tree shopping,” says Hundley. Remember: a Christmas tree outside will always look much smaller than one in your living room.”

Finding a tree of the right size can drain your wallet.

“It’s not surprising that the taller the tree, the higher the price tag,” says Vera. “Real Christmas trees can take years to grow, and every foot is more of an investment the farmer has to make to maintain the farm and grow the tree.”

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3. Compare prices and quality

Many Christmas tree farms advertise their prices online along with information about the types of trees they sell or other features awaiting buyers. If you buy from other places, such as large retailers or Christmas tree markets, try to find out where the trees come from or read reviews from previous buyers.

“Buy your tree from a place where there is someone who takes good care of your future tree; in other words, keeps the tree fresh,” says Hundley.

You can determine the quality on site. You can look for a tree that looks great, but no less important are its features, which can only be recognized by touch.

Handley recommends removing winter gloves and touching parts of the tree with your hands.

“Touch the branches with your hands to see how soft and pliable the needles are. They shouldn't be hard and dry, he says. “The latter indicates that the tree may have been cut several weeks ago and not been properly cared for during that time.”

4. Explore Tree Varieties

It is helpful to have an idea of ​​the type of tree you want to purchase, because some farms offer several varieties. For example, at Bella Christmas Farm in Accord, New York, about a dozen kinds of Christmas trees are being sold this year.

According to Brian Bell, one of the farm owners, although half of the tree buyers know exactly what they want each year, the other half seek advice.

“We have many customers who have never cut down a tree, so we will be happy to answer any of their questions.”

Laurie Bell, who helps manage the farm with her husband Brian, asks the following questions to help novice shoppers:

• How many heavy decorations are you going to hang on a Christmas tree?
• What time are you going to install the tree?
• Do you want a Christmas tree with soft or hard needles?
• Do you prefer a more fragrant tree?

Depending on your answers, one variety may be better suited to your needs than another. While spruce trees are a little more prickly, they have stronger branches that can hold heavier decorations. Fir trees, on the other hand, have softer needles and, as a rule, these trees smell more expressively.

Bell has all varieties and sizes of trees for one price: $50. But prices may vary depending on the variety, according to Square. In 2018, Nordmann fir sold for an average of $98 and Douglas fir sold for an average of $53.

“If you're not particularly knowledgeable about the type of tree, you can save a lot of money at the farm or tree market,” says Vera.

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5. Take care of the tree - get more

Regardless of whether you spend 20 or 100 dollars on a Christmas tree, you will need to take care of it so that the tree pays off.

“You make that tree better by taking care of it,” Hundley says.

Michael May, the owner of Lazy Acres Farm in Chunkey, Mississippi, recommends making a fresh cut about half an inch (1,3 cm) from the bottom of the tree immediately after arriving home with a brand new tree. Then put the tree in the water as soon as possible.

“This allows the trunk to immediately start drinking water,” May says. “Never allow the water to drop below the cut level, otherwise the tree will quickly dry out and begin to deteriorate.”

And be sure to water your tree daily, because some varieties are capable of drinking more than a gallon per day during the first few days.

"Don't treat your Christmas tree like any other houseplant," May says.

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