Gourmet Christmas Trees
Times have changed since the 1970s and '80s when most people who celebrated Christmas set up some species of pine tree in their homes come December. Artificial trees have since improved in quality and selection, with some coming complete with LED lights and themed decorations. Sales of artificial trees have risen 31 percent since 2001 and in the past few years, about 70 percent of American homes with trees had fake Christmas trees on display.
Production has dropped in many areas and the Carolinas are producing most of the country's supply. In order to survive, small tree farms are developing unusual breeds to attract new customers. They are commonly called "gourmet" or "exotic" trees. Because the cost to produce these "gourmet" trees is more, the price for these trees is around $110. Even though the cost is double the cost of more traditional trees, they are always the first to go.
I think that it's irrational to pay that much for a tree that will die in a few weeks, but these trees could be considered a luxury item, as far a Christmas trees are concerned, and people who can afford to pay that amount will pay. This can also be explained by the "snob value effect", where satisfaction comes from knowing the price of a good.
Production has dropped in many areas and the Carolinas are producing most of the country's supply. In order to survive, small tree farms are developing unusual breeds to attract new customers. They are commonly called "gourmet" or "exotic" trees. Because the cost to produce these "gourmet" trees is more, the price for these trees is around $110. Even though the cost is double the cost of more traditional trees, they are always the first to go.
I think that it's irrational to pay that much for a tree that will die in a few weeks, but these trees could be considered a luxury item, as far a Christmas trees are concerned, and people who can afford to pay that amount will pay. This can also be explained by the "snob value effect", where satisfaction comes from knowing the price of a good.
posted by Christine O'Leary at 1:25 PM
1 Comments:
I never understood the point of spending so much on something that would die in a few weeks either. I definitely agree that artifical trees have come a long way. My family always had artificial trees, and when I was little I remember them being awfully fake looking. Today they are very realistic, they cost about the same as a real one, and they last a long time.
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