A look at the first artificial trees and how they became a growing trend
Chris Moran with Vandervalk Farm in Mendon, Miss., shares how this year he lost 500 small Christmas trees on the farm due to unusually dry conditions in the Northeast. (Source: WBZ-TV)
Artificial trees have become a popular option for many families.
Overall, an artificial tree requires less care and maintenance than a real tree. Additionally, the price of an artificial tree may be more expensive than a real one, but in the long run, it turns out to be affordable.
Artificial trees may not have as long a history as real Christmas trees, but they have been sold in stores for quite some time.
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The artificial tree dates back to Germany in the mid-19th century. They were first created using goose feathers during the period, according to Britannica.
Sears, Roebuck & Company is recognized by the National Christmas Tree Association as the first store to sell artificial trees. This started around 1883, according to the source.
Artificial trees have a long history of being displayed as Christmas centerpieces in many homes. (iStock / Stock)
During this time, buyers can pick up 33 organs for $0.50 or 55 organs for $1.00, according to the source.
Sears was once the epicenter of all things Christmas.
It was 1933 when Sears released their first, most popular Christmas catalog, according to History.com, filled with all the hottest items of the year.
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The 1933 catalog included products such as a “Miss Pigtails” doll, a Mickey Mouse watch and a five-pound box of chocolates, according to the Sears Archives.
The Sears Archives varies slightly on the exact date the store first sold artificial trees, noting that the store “began selling Christmas stockings and artificial Christmas trees in 1910.”
Sears was the first store to sell artificial Christmas trees. (Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images/Getty Images)
In 1968, the name of the catalog officially changed to “Book of Wishes,” per source.
The 1960s saw other big box stores join the scene, such as Walmart and Target, with similar offerings to Sears.
The Sears catalog division was closed in 1993, according to History.com.
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Today, artificial trees are sold at a variety of retailers, including Lowes, Walmart, Target and Home Depot.
Although the price of trees today far exceeds the cost when they were originally sold, they are often more affordable, in the long run, compared to real trees, as they can be reused year after year.
Artificial trees fill the aisles of stores during the holiday season. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The average cost of an artificial tree varies greatly. There are options as low as a few hundred dollars, and as high as over a thousand.
Another attraction of the artificial tree is the ease of use it offers. Some of them don’t even need to be decorated, as they come with lights already lit on the tree.
That said, many families still love the tradition of going to a local Christmas tree farm and choosing a tree to display in their home during the holiday season. In addition, the smell of pine is one that is not present in a fake tree.
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By 2024, 46% of people say they plan to display an artificial tree in their home for the holidays, according to Statista. That’s compared to 24% who plan to plant a real tree.
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