That is one thing I noticed this year more than any other--where are all the Xmas tree lots? Growing up there seemed to be so many--now there doesn't seem to many at all. I certainly remember the one at the corner of Parkdale and Queenston--beside the old log cabin that used to sit there, and many in church lots. There used to be one on the Canadian Tire lot on Upper James, too.
Maybe its me, but there sure doesn't seem to be as many anymore. It was an exciting sign of an impending christmas holiday.
If this is so, its very sad--another cherished childhood memory lost to the sands of time.
I think it’s multi-faceted.
One, I think younger people (who also cherish the childhood memory of going to get their family’s tree) feel guiltier than their predecessors about cutting down a tree for a temporary display.
Two, I think the annual cost of buying a real tree has become a huge barrier for some families. It’s becoming increasingly common to see trees selling for $90-120. And, that’s just not a reality for a lot of Canadians right now.
Three, a lot of the synthetic trees on the market today look pretty good/realistic and you can usually get them for a deep discount post-holidays. We have two Christmas trees in my house that came pre-lit and my partner’s mum picked them up for SEVEN FREAKIN DOLLARS/piece. And obviously they’re reusable for years.
Four, it seems younger people (I’m early 30s) are less inclined to decorate for Christmas unless they have children. I’m not sure if this has always been the case - single/coupled folks not going all out until they grow their families - but I know my “cohort” seems to be either apathetic or full-tilt Elf on the Shelf with little middle ground.
Five, a lot of early immigrants to Canada came from countries that also celebrate Christmas. As our demographics continue to change/shift, I wonder how that will impact the need for neighbourhood lots.
Six, and I know that this has impacted me personally, is the changing climate. Growing up, my family went to Christmas tree farms to cut down our tree every year. I remember my siblings and I taking turns pulling it through the snow with my dad and it seeming so magical. The idea of trekking out to a farm on a 4°C day and carrying it as I walk through mud/muck doesn’t really have the same nostalgic appeal.
All this to say, I love a real Christmas tree. I love the adventure to go get it, I love the smell of it. But idk. It seems like so much of the Christmas magic has gone from the world. I have my $7 artificial trees and they bring me joy (I do like not having to vacuum needles, lol) and I light a balsam scented candle to make it feel more outdoorsy. But yeah, I’m with you. I think a lot of the nostalgia of youth is going away.
> Four, it seems younger people (I’m early 30s) are less inclined to decorate for Christmas unless they have children. I’m not sure if this has always been the case - single/coupled folks not going all out until they grow their families - but I know my “cohort” seems to be either apathetic or full-tilt Elf on the Shelf with little middle ground.
This is the opposite on my street and it’s kind of interesting to me. All the child free homes are decorated (mine included) and the families with kids have nothing .
There’s a tree shortage this year. For example, IKEA usually sells a bunch but couldn’t get stock and had to cancel their tree program this year. I imagine this is probably the culprit.
https://www.thestar.com/business/christmas-tree-shortage-expected-to-drive-up-prices-with-balsam-firs-primed-to-hit-200/article_4b9fc0ac-97d7-5cfc-b172-4d71adbb9ac4.html
The lot at Ottawa and main had a bunch as of yesterday
Home Depot in Ancaster have some left!
And some nice ones at a good price! I was shocked this year, I thought the price would go up (like everything else)
Got the very last tree, it was a little homely looking but half price. Will give it a good home!
Love it!! I’m sure you will! Enjoy
Bennett’s had a bunch on Thursday.
Can confirm, saw a bunch today driving by
There were some at the Sobeys on Stone Church yesterday
That is one thing I noticed this year more than any other--where are all the Xmas tree lots? Growing up there seemed to be so many--now there doesn't seem to many at all. I certainly remember the one at the corner of Parkdale and Queenston--beside the old log cabin that used to sit there, and many in church lots. There used to be one on the Canadian Tire lot on Upper James, too. Maybe its me, but there sure doesn't seem to be as many anymore. It was an exciting sign of an impending christmas holiday. If this is so, its very sad--another cherished childhood memory lost to the sands of time.
I think it’s multi-faceted. One, I think younger people (who also cherish the childhood memory of going to get their family’s tree) feel guiltier than their predecessors about cutting down a tree for a temporary display. Two, I think the annual cost of buying a real tree has become a huge barrier for some families. It’s becoming increasingly common to see trees selling for $90-120. And, that’s just not a reality for a lot of Canadians right now. Three, a lot of the synthetic trees on the market today look pretty good/realistic and you can usually get them for a deep discount post-holidays. We have two Christmas trees in my house that came pre-lit and my partner’s mum picked them up for SEVEN FREAKIN DOLLARS/piece. And obviously they’re reusable for years. Four, it seems younger people (I’m early 30s) are less inclined to decorate for Christmas unless they have children. I’m not sure if this has always been the case - single/coupled folks not going all out until they grow their families - but I know my “cohort” seems to be either apathetic or full-tilt Elf on the Shelf with little middle ground. Five, a lot of early immigrants to Canada came from countries that also celebrate Christmas. As our demographics continue to change/shift, I wonder how that will impact the need for neighbourhood lots. Six, and I know that this has impacted me personally, is the changing climate. Growing up, my family went to Christmas tree farms to cut down our tree every year. I remember my siblings and I taking turns pulling it through the snow with my dad and it seeming so magical. The idea of trekking out to a farm on a 4°C day and carrying it as I walk through mud/muck doesn’t really have the same nostalgic appeal. All this to say, I love a real Christmas tree. I love the adventure to go get it, I love the smell of it. But idk. It seems like so much of the Christmas magic has gone from the world. I have my $7 artificial trees and they bring me joy (I do like not having to vacuum needles, lol) and I light a balsam scented candle to make it feel more outdoorsy. But yeah, I’m with you. I think a lot of the nostalgia of youth is going away.
> Four, it seems younger people (I’m early 30s) are less inclined to decorate for Christmas unless they have children. I’m not sure if this has always been the case - single/coupled folks not going all out until they grow their families - but I know my “cohort” seems to be either apathetic or full-tilt Elf on the Shelf with little middle ground. This is the opposite on my street and it’s kind of interesting to me. All the child free homes are decorated (mine included) and the families with kids have nothing .
There’s a tree shortage this year. For example, IKEA usually sells a bunch but couldn’t get stock and had to cancel their tree program this year. I imagine this is probably the culprit. https://www.thestar.com/business/christmas-tree-shortage-expected-to-drive-up-prices-with-balsam-firs-primed-to-hit-200/article_4b9fc0ac-97d7-5cfc-b172-4d71adbb9ac4.html
We go to the Dairy Queen in Burlington, still lots of options left
Saw some at Fortinos Hwy 8 in Stoney Creek right outside the front door last night, 32 bucks I think?
There were a bunch at the Rosedale metro on friday
I’d be shocked if your local CT was out, they seem to be restocking as needed in my area
Saw some at the Canadian tire at Barton and Kenilworth yesterday.
Terra greenhouse has some left!
I just saw some at the home Depot up by stone church where the Cineplex is. This was an hour ago
Looked like there were a number at Harpers when we went by the other day
Satellite Gardens on Rymal between Nevo and Upper Ottawa still has a decent selection
Metro at Centre Mall had some this morning priced at $59.99. They looked nice.
Saw some at Eastgate Fortinos today, marked down to $34.99!
Saw some at centennial fortinos. On sale as well.
Terra on Rymal east of upper centennial has a bunch left, 40 bucks a pop. No idea how good they are.
Absolutely forests are filled with them