A recent survey reveals that the majority of Russians prepare for the New Year by decorating a Christmas tree, with 77 percent choosing to adorn a tree. Thirteen percent do not set up a tree, nine percent decorate only occasionally, and one percent use branches instead. The findings come from a study conducted by YuMoney and Chek Index and were reviewed by socialbites.ca.
Among those who skip the Christmas tree, half said they do not celebrate the New Year, 30 percent dislike the mess that comes with holiday greenery, and 16 percent prefer not to disturb their cats. An additional four percent cited an allergy to pine needles as their reason.
More than half of the respondents, 55 percent, opt for an artificial Christmas tree for the New Year, while 30 percent decorate a live tree. The remainder create an environmentally friendly tree they assembled themselves, reflecting a growing interest in sustainable decorations.
According to the Control Index from the OFD Platform, the average price of an artificial Christmas tree in November 2023 rose by 20 percent year over year to 4,455 rubles, with purchases up 16 percent. Live spruce prices also climbed, rising 9 percent from November 2022 to an average of 1,950 rubles, while buyers increased by 11 percent compared to the previous year.
Market choices show that a quarter of Russians (26 percent) visit the Christmas tree market to buy a tree, about the same share (23 percent) shop at supermarkets, and 18 percent go to marketplaces. Six percent cut trees in forests, four percent order from delivery services, and three percent source them from bloggers. Check Index experts note that both artificial trees and pre-ordered live trees were in strong demand in November 2023 as people planned ahead for the celebrations.
Experts from Check Index report a growing shift toward online channels for inexpensive holiday items, with online purchases rising 30 to 40 percent versus the previous year. At the same time, artificial spruce trees remain predominantly bought offline, while deliveries to grocery and non-food retailers expanded over several years.
Seasonal factors continue to influence pricing as year-end demand pushes up the cost of fir trees. Sellers typically incorporate a broad set of operating costs into price tags, encouraging many buyers to secure trees early to avoid higher prices closer to the holiday period.
As December approaches, about 40 percent of Russians decorate their Christmas tree in the late twenties of December, 25 percent in mid-December, and 18 percent in early December. On December 31, ten percent observe the tradition of decorating their tree, while seven percent did so in November. The majority still put up the tree in January at 62 percent, with 25 percent enjoying it through February, and seven percent extending into spring. Six percent store the tree away soon after the New Year.
Recycling practices show that 55 percent of households keep the artificial tree at home for reuse, while 27 percent discard the live tree. Eight percent take their tree to a village or country house, five percent drop it off at a dedicated collection point for Christmas trees, and three percent use paid recycling points. Two percent transport their tree to a zoo or farm for disposal, reflecting varied approaches to post-holiday waste management.
Authorities previously warned about scam pre-New Year emails circulating through instant messaging platforms, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance during the festive season. This advisory underscores the broader emphasis on safe and informed shopping practices as families gear up for the holiday period.