Christmas Tree and Decorating Trends

“Natural, ecological and new varieties are captivating shoppers this season,” said Paige Patterson, plant ambassador at Marders in Bridgehampton. “Shoppers are fascinated with some of the unique items we forage for and craft, and many are foraging local areas themselves.”

“The Cook fir is a new variety of Christmas tree we’re offering this year,” Margaret “Midge” Fowler of Fowler’s Garden Center in Southampton said. “A Fraser-Balsam hybrid, it has sturdy branches, rich, deep green needles that don’t drop as much and exudes a great scent.”

“Fraser Fir are super popular for their sturdy branches and beautiful color. Also Balsam are lovely and full,” Michael Gianelli of East Hampton Gardens said.

Farm-grown trees will remain in tight supply this season, so shoppers may need to be flexible. According to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), 99 percent of consumers surveyed intend to display at least one Christmas tree in their home this year. Nearly 80 percent will choose an artificial tree and 22 percent will opt for a live one.

“People want to be close to nature,” Patterson said. “They want to bring holiday-themed bits of nature into their home.”

Whether you choose a real or artificial tree, it’s probably a healthy choice to decorate your home this holiday season. Holiday decorating can be good for one’s spirit.

“Holiday decor sparks a neurobiological shift that’s great for our mental and physical wellbeing. Inviting festive decor earlier into our lives elongates the time we get to enjoy those benefits,” said Deborah Serani, Psy.D., a psychology professor at Adelphi University.

In fact, 64 percent of consumers feel happier when surrounded by festive decor, and 57 percent say it gives them something to look forward to each year. Psychologists note that early decorating can increase dopamine levels, enhancing energy and happiness. These holiday traditions can also evoke positive memories and feelings of nostalgia, according to an ACTA report.

The U.S. surgeon general’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents cited a 2023 report from the American Psychological Association noting that 48 percent of parents report overwhelming, daily stress. Fifty-eight percent of young adults (18-24) report the same. Holiday decorating can be a natural and therapeutic tool for maintaining mental well-being during an otherwise stressful period.

Real vs. Artificial

“I’d say it’s 50/50,” Gianelli said. “Artificial are pre-lit and easier. They’re super realistic and can be used every year until the lights stop working, then it’s a problem. With drought and issues during COVID, real trees have gotten scarce in large sizes and expensive.”

“The live- vs. artificial-tree debate never ends,” said Patterson, who prefers a real tree. “Real trees are a crop. They fill the atmosphere with fresh oxygen and are easily recyclable.”

How To Pick Out and 
Care for a Real Tree

Consider the type of decorations you will be using. Some species have more open foliage, stiffer branches or longer needles. Research the characteristics of the different species then find a farm or retailer offering it.

When tree shopping, run a branch through an enclosed hand — the needles should not easily come off. Bend the outer branches — they should be pliable. If they are brittle and easily snap, the tree is too dry. Shop at a retail lot that is well-lit and stores trees in a shaded area. All conifers drop or shed a certain portion of their oldest needles. This is a normal part of the life cycle of the tree and occurs because it is preparing for winter. Most farms provide shaking or blowing services so that you will leave with a clean tree. When properly cared for, a cut tree should last approximately three weeks in a home. Caring for a fresh-cut tree is vital to maintaining its vitality throughout the holiday season.

Reviving Freshness: As soon as you bring a tree home, give it a fresh cut of about 1 to 1.5 inches from the base to reopen its pores for rehydration and increased water absorption.

Hydration Matters: Immediately place the tree in a stand filled with warm water, aiming to do so within four hours of cutting the base. Regularly check the water level, ensuring it never drops below the base to prevent the pores from sealing.

Ideal Placement: Choose a location away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent accelerated drying, preserving the tree’s freshness.

Be Flexible: Be open to new tree varieties and get the right tree for your space and conditions.

Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most effective way of maintaining their freshness and minimizing needle-loss.

“The drought has not impacted tree supply. Many come from Canada and have adequate root systems,” Fowler said. “Keep dogs away from the tree. They often confuse the bowl underneath for a water dish and lick up the tree’s water. If you’re going away be sure someone can access the tree to regularly water it.”

The cheapest time to buy a Christmas tree often is right before Christmas, according to data from mobile-payment company Square Inc. The best time is whichever day maximizes joy in your household.

The closer to Christmas, the further tree prices generally tend to fall as demand drops. In 2023, by the week before Christmas, over 90 percent of trees were sold. Many sellers then lowered prices to move inventory before the end of the season. Postponing a purchase until then saved 32 percent compared to Black Friday prices, with the average cost coming down to $85. Last year, the largest surge in tree sales occurred on Black Friday, with the average tree costing around $112. For those who waited and purchased on the first Saturday in December, the second most popular day for tree shopping, the average price dropped to $105.

Beyond Trees

Non-tree decor trends this year include seasonal home fragrances as well as wreaths and garland, which are outpacing stockings and other indoor decor, and all outdoor items, such as lawn displays.

Marders is reporting high consumer interest in relatively new varieties of poinsettias displaying bright white and purple.

“Traditionally poinsettias were red or a creamy white. Today there are double-white, which is very bright,” Patterson said. “The purple variety attracts lots of attention.”

Marders also offers wreath-making classes and helps customers with locally sourced, natural decorations and highlights.

“We are more traditional,” said East Hampton Gardens’ Gianelli. “Dog ornaments that match the breed owned are very popular. We can order any breed imaginable. Also, food-themed ornaments are very popular. Handblown glass ornaments from Poland are much more expensive than ones made in China. Quality, great customer service and a friendly face costs a bit more as we are a small business.”

Trees Courtesy of the Federal Government

Want to help the U.S. Forest Service with much-needed forest thinning? Why not take family and friends on an expedition that can connect them with nature , while providing a festive memento guaranteed to drop needles all over the living room and trunk of your car? Get a Christmas tree-harvesting permit from the U.S. Forest Service. The closest federal lands for tree harvesting in the Northeast include Green Mountain Forest, near Rutland, Vermont, and White Mountain National Forest near Campton, New Hampshire. In 2023, the Forest Service sold permits for more than 300,000 wild Christmas trees. A one-tree permit costs $10 at recreation.gov.