Seven affordable Christmas tree alternatives from wall hangings to twigs after a worrying lack of fresh trees

KASSENKRAPF Americans are struggling to make ends meet ahead of the holiday as the effects of inflation continue to weigh on wallets.

And there are fears that the cost of festive trees could rise by as much as 25 percent in some parts of the country this year.

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Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association, said CBS: “Prices vary in different locations across the country and by tree species and quality.

“But we think a 10% price increase is a reasonable estimate of what consumers can pay for a tree in 2022.”

And with demand for festive trees soaring, there are fears of shortages.

Jill Sidebottom, a spokeswoman for the group, said, “We’ve had a tree shortage since 2016, and it’s still going on.”

But homes can still look as festive as ever, even when struggling Americans decide not to buy a real or fake Christmas tree.

Bargain hunters might be able to save some money by buying a wall tree.

The wall-hanging version wouldn’t look any less festive, as it’s said to come with features like pine cones and lights house beautiful.

And the wall decoration will hardly take up space compared to a huge two-meter tree.

The annoying vacuuming up of artificial needles that got stuck on the carpet when you take them off is no longer necessary.

If you are a fan of art, you might be able to find a stunning painting depicting a Christmas tree.

Or homeowners and renters may opt for a minimalist design like a branch tree or cone tree.

The Christmas tree is one of the iconic symbols of the holidays and there are various designs available.

A paper tree is lightweight and easy to maneuver, while you can also buy a wooden decoration that can be decorated with baubles.

Or you can opt for a Christmas tree made of metal or glass.

The interior design experts at House Beautiful have described the metallic version as “a brilliant contemporary alternative”.

While a glass tree has been branded “flashy” because of its simple looks.

Farms have warned they have seen prices spike this holiday season.

Ed Carpenter of Laingsburg, Michigan narrated WILX that the cost per foot went from $10 to $11.

He revealed that the “booming” deer population had damaged their trees.

And post-Covid supply chain issues remain persistent and continue to have an impact.

Hugh Rodell told that Washington Times that prices have risen by around eight percent on average.

He said: “We’re trying to keep Christmas affordable because everyone is feeling the crunch of that inflation.”

The US Sun has revealed several holiday items available for purchase from Kroger that cost less than $15.

Products range from nutcrackers and gnomes to cookie decorations and holiday signs.

And we explained how TikTok star Sam Holtwick decorated her festive tree with bathroom loofahs.

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