O, Tannenbaum!
So here we are on the day after Christmas…the traditional tree often plays a major role as guardian of the presents, of course, And yours may still have plenty of presents, depending on when your family has its final get together.
Our friends at Common Sense Institute Iowa wondered how much that tree would cost this year…so with thanks to their team for averaging costs among four major retailers in the state…it looks like the average cost of setting up a new Christmas tree was $226.60.
More than half of that, as you might imagine, was the tree itself…a six-foot Fraser Fir would set you back $119 alone.
And you have to put the tree in something, so you need a good tree stand…that runs $20.73.
But the tree stand is not very pretty, so better spend another $20.16 for a 56-inch tree skirt.
In order for the tree to stand out, of course, you need decorations. They figure a 300-light string costs $14.49—but only one 300-light string? Seems pretty dull to me.
How about tinsel—they measured 50 feet worth, which I think of as garland…regardless, that’s another $19.88.
A box of ornaments goes for $15.98—but that’s for a box of 24, which hardly would properly decorate one side, in my experience. They are shatterproof though, so that’s helpful.
And the bestselling topper out there runs you $16.37.
So there you go—starting from scratch, setting up your new Christmas tree this year in Iowa cost $226.60. Guessing mine would be closer to $300, with the additional lights and ornaments and such.
That may cause you to leave your tree up a little longer, out of respect—and the fact that as the temperature hits 50 degrees, there sure won’t be reminders of the season outside.
