Video: Real trees have more takers in UAE this Christmas

Dubai - According to Reyner Gutierres, a 25-year-old Sharjah resident, an artificial Christmas tree proves to be more cost-effective.

As the calendar pages turn to December, festive spirit grips many residents to go shopping for presents for the holiday season. While hotel lobbies adorned with Christmas trees and decorations become a familiar sight, many UAE residents seek to follow suit.
The first point of consideration in most households is whether to buy an artificial Christmas tree or invest in a real one. To conclude their choice, they would often have to consider cost, space in their residence and maintenance.
According to Reyner Gutierres, a 25-year-old Sharjah resident, an artificial Christmas tree proves to be more cost-effective.
"I bought my Christmas tree from a local supermarket for Dh600 two years ago and I have used it again this year as it is cheaper to do so," said Reyner. "If I buy a real one, I have to worry about the mess and would have to throw it away when it dies," he added.
Artificial Christmas trees in the UAE can be purchased from supermarkets for as low as Dh25 for a one-foot high option and the 8ft high can set one back around Dh1,100. Though the real ones are also priced similar, many residents opt to buy them for the real 'feel of Christmas'.

Cashing in on the demand for the real Christmas trees are salesmen in the market areas of Dubai, such as Satwa.
Abdul Ahad, one of the shopkeepers who tries to lure the customers to his store, said: "Height and fragrance matter the most for the shoppers. The trees imported from Canada fit the criteria for most of the shoppers as they come at a cost of Dh600 for an 8ft-high tree. They are the most sought after this year."
He added: "Our most popular collection is Noble fir trees as they have a stronger scent and last longer, whereas the Nordmann fir from the Netherlands or Denmark is cheaper but they shed quite quickly."
In terms of demographics, Abdul Ahad said that Westerners dominate the customer base.
The busy season for salesmen in the market begin a month prior to Christmas and this year, the shop brought in a supply of 400 trees.
Due to their wide availability online and in supermarkets, sales have dropped. With just under a week to go for the Christmas day, Abdul Ahad added that he has been able to sell around 250 trees as opposed to over 300 a year earlier.
"Customers are now looking at convenient options and have become price-conscious. Therefore, we will consider lowering our prices slightly to sell them all before Christmas day," he said.
abdulkarim@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai