The Economics of Owning a Prelit Christmas Tree
Christmas trees cost a lot depending on where you live, where you buy one from, and what kind you get. It’s a myth that artificial Christmas trees are always more affordable-at least compared to real trees. The National Christmas Tree Association reported that the average price per real Christmas tree in 2018 was $78 while the average price per fake tree was $104.
Real trees may cost more upfront, but artificial trees can be reused rather than discarded after the holiday season. When you invest in an artificial Christmas tree, you’ll save money over time because real trees are becoming more expensive. You might find this helpful if budget is your biggest concern. The average cost of a fake tree (at the time of purchase) in 2018 was nearly $30 more than that of a real tree. However, a fake tree can be used year after year, allowing you to avoid buying a real tree every year. When you plan to display your fake tree for at least five Christmases (or more), you may end up saving money.
A Closer Look at the Environmental Impact of Prelit Trees
Having a real Christmas tree is great, but they are also very difficult to maintain. This is one exceptional houseplant that requires daily maintenance, and it’s hard to keep up with (which is understandable). It’s obvious why artificial spruces are appealing because you won’t need to worry about watering, sweeping, trimming, or knowing where to place them for maximum freshness. It will no longer have to be dragged to the end of the driveway or a local recycling center after Christmas.
So, from where we are standing, artificial or fake prelit Christmas trees is a cost-effective investment. Even if they cost way more than real trees, they have low cost of maintenance and can last for as long as a decade.