December 10, 2021, 12:52 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
A Christmas tree is an essential part of the holiday celebration, right? Not for every household—quite the opposite. According to a representative survey conducted by myHOMEBOOK, a large portion of respondents completely forgo the traditional fir tree. Instead, alternative Christmas trees are gaining popularity.
String lights, the scent of pine, needles on the living room floor–these are the memories many associate with the Christmas tree. In many cases, these are indeed memories of past Christmases, as more than a third of Germans are foregoing a Christmas tree this year. myHOMEBOOK conducted a survey to find out how Germans feel about the Christmas tree–with interesting results.
More Than a Third Won’t Get a Christmas Tree, Survey Says
In the representative survey commissioned by myHOMEBOOK, more than 1,000 people were questioned. The survey is representative of the population aged 18 to 69 in Germany. Participants were asked whether and what kind of Christmas tree they would put in their living room. There were various response options–from the classic Christmas tree to the potted tree to no tree at all. Here is an overview of the results:
| Will you get a Christmas tree this year? If so, what type of Christmas tree will you get? | ||||
| Total | 18-29 years | 30-49 years | 50-69 years | |
| Base | 1010 | 209 | 396 | 405 |
| A classic Christmas tree | 32.7 | 31.1 | 35.4 | 30.9 |
| A plastic Christmas tree | 16.4 | 19.1 | 17.2 | 14.3 |
| A purchased potted Christmas tree | 6.4 | 9.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 |
| A Christmas tree alternative (e.g., in the form of string lights or branch arrangements, etc.) | 5.9 | 6.7 | 5.6 | 5.9 |
| A rented potted Christmas tree | 1.8 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 1.2 |
| No Christmas tree at all | 36.7 | 30.6 | 34.3 | 42.2 |
Notably, a relatively large number (36.7 percent) of respondents said they would completely forgo a Christmas tree. The age group between 50 and 69 years is particularly significant here. This group even surpasses those who prefer a classic Christmas tree. However, the tradition remains popular among respondents aged 30 to 49, possibly because many parents are in this segment. Interestingly, plastic Christmas trees also seem to be in demand, especially among the younger group aged 18 to 29.
Potted Christmas trees–also known as room firs–are relatively new to the market, whether for purchase or rental. Similarly low is the number of respondents who get creative for Christmas and set up a DIY Christmas tree in their living room. You can learn about the possibilities in this article.
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Why Are So Many Forgoing a Christmas Tree?
As early as 2012, a YouGov survey found that 37 percent of respondents preferred to forgo a Christmas tree. These numbers align with our current survey. According to a Statista survey, however, only 32 percent opted out of a tree in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic may also play a role.
Saskia Blümel from the Association of Natural Christmas Trees (VNWB) knows of other potential reasons affecting the business: “Inflation, rising transport and personnel costs, and the additional effort due to COVID-19 are noticeable,” says the association’s managing director in response to a myHOMEBOOK inquiry. “Nevertheless, business is off to a good start. How the season develops will become apparent mainly in the coming weeks.” Despite all adverse circumstances, the prices for Christmas trees remain stable this year.
What Reasons Speak Against a Christmas Tree?
Another reason why relatively many are forgoing a Christmas tree may be a growing ecological awareness. Some even refer to them as “tree corpses” brought into the home for the holidays. The fact is: After the festivities, the trees are disposed of, making them disposable products. As the WWF informs in its blog, most Christmas trees in this country come from plantations. These are monocultures that harm the soil and restrict wildlife. Additionally, pesticides are used, further burdening the environment and possibly affecting indoor air quality.