ORLANDO, Fla. – Thanksgiving may still be days away, but for many Americans, the Christmas season has already arrived. This year, however, holiday shoppers may notice something different: Higher prices on many of the decorations they typically rely on.
According to Jamie Warner, Executive Director of the American Christmas Tree Association, newly imposed tariffs are having a noticeable impact on the cost of some holiday decorations that are imported from China.
“The tariffs have caused an increase in price from about 10 to 15 percent this year,” Warner said.
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Last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 87% of artificial Christmas trees, ornaments, and other holiday decorations imported into the country came from China. With tariffs raising the cost of those imports, the association is advising shoppers to start early before supplies shrink.
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“Inventory on artificial Christmas trees and Christmas décor will be a little bit thinner because less was ordered because of the tariffs,” Warner explained.
While artificial trees are becoming more expensive, real-tree sellers may see a boost. At Josario’s Christmas Trees in Orlando, owner Jose Rivas says demand is already spiking.
“There’s all sizes of trees,” he said, noting that some cost as little as $30, offering a budget-friendly alternative for families feeling the pinch.
Rivas points out one thing his trees don’t come with: tariffs.
That price stability has brought shoppers—very early.
“We actually started getting calls as early as before Halloween, so this year we have seen a lot higher demand than typical years,” Rivas added.
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Beyond price considerations, Rivas believes real Christmas trees offer environmental and sentimental benefits.
“They don’t fill up landfills,” he said. “It’s not the same tree. Each tree has its own personality.”
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