TRENDS

The United States of America is experiencing some very difficult economic times. However, we are seeing a silver lining to this economic cloud. The public has started to have a harder look at their lives and material possessions, and many have reevaluated their priorities. The holidays represent a time for family and friends to come together, enjoy each others’ company, and share memories and laughs. With retail outlets already displaying holiday décor, the spirit of the season is now upon us as customers are choosing to invest in the holiday experience.

Trimming the Christmas tree has long been a family tradition for households in North America, and in 2008 we expect this special family time to carry even more meaning as people think about what is really important to them. The Christmas tree represents more than just a place to put presents; the decorations it displays show memories of seasons past, or significant events in peoples’ lives like a new baby. The Christmas tree is where the family gathers on Christmas morning, and where children laugh and play; it can be said that the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the holiday.

The strong sales of artificial Christmas trees thus far in the 2008 season suggests that people are eager to invest in a beautiful tree that will last more than just a couple of weeks. Furthermore, an artificial Christmas tree allows families not only to gather and trim the tree during Thanksgiving, but also to enjoy the same tree Christmas morning, without having to worry about fire hazards or messy needles and sap. People who travel to visit family and friends during the season are choosing to have their own tree to enjoy at home, and with an artificial Christmas tree they are able to embrace the holidays at home and away.

In this fast-paced world, many people just don't have the time to shop for a natural tree, but they don't want to sacrifice the natural look of a tree. As customers have increasingly demanded high quality artificial Christmas trees, many retailers have shifted focus towards trees with molded PE plastic branch tips, which can look much more realistic than PVC plastic tips. Customers appear to be willing to pay for quality, as trees with PE molded branch tips can cost significantly more than PVC tips. However, these customers certainly get what they pay for, as the technology has continued to improve and artificial Christmas trees continue to look and feel just like natural trees.

With the current trends focused on ultra-realistic artificial Christmas trees, not only have green trees become more lifelike, but some premium retailers have also ensured that the coloring is just right, down to the subtle changes in hue. Many retailers offer trees with two-color molded branch tips; brown at the branch, and green for the needles. To take it to the next step of realism, select retailers offer trees that have variations of green in the needles to add depth and texture to the branches. The most popular trend is for the very tip of the branch to have a slightly lighter color than the rest of the branch, to signify the new growth that would be occurring on a real tree.

For those who are willing to take more of a fashion risk, colored trees are gaining in popularity. Baby pink and baby blue trees are very hot colors so far this season. Smurf's 50th birthday in October is also driving Smurf fans to decorate in style by going blue. Pink trees are particularly popular with women, as they add a soft, feminine touch while making a bold fashion statement. Black artificial trees are also a blossoming trend in 2008, and they make a great talking piece. The look of black artificial trees can vary widely based on the decorations and lights (or lack thereof!), and they make a strong statement in any room. Finally, the last half of 2008 has seen color trends in the autumn and chocolate hues, and, yes, you can even find artificial trees in these colors, including cranberry, chocolate and gold.

Of course, if you want to really express your individuality, you can always follow your own trend and find an artificial tree that makes a statement about you. Whether you love the '80s and want a silver tree, or consider yourself funky enough to have a purple tree, or want to keep it clean with a white tree, several retailers have come out with innovative artificial tree colors to ensure you can find the perfect shade for you.

Redwood City, CA-October 23, 2006-With the holiday buying season fast approaching, retailers predict that pre lit artificial Christmas trees will be decking more halls this year than ever before. Artificial Christmas tree sales showed a 10% growth year over year in the past five years, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, with U.S. consumers purchasing 9.2 million artificial Christmas trees and spending $665 million in that time.

Balsam Hill™, a top domestic, pre lit artificial Christmas tree manufacturer, predicts a strong "growing season" this year for polethylene trees. "Polyethylene tree sales have doubled to comprise 20% of all artificial trees, up from only 10% last year," says Thomas Harman, Founder and CEO of Balsam Hill™.

Harman says that polyethylene, or PE trees, generally have the best quality, color and shape of any type of artificial trees. Balsam Hill™'s own PE brand, True Needle™, is the company's star seller. "Our True Needle™ technology is the best needle technology for realistic, lifelike tree needles, made to match the color, shape, and texture of real tree needles. And their hinged design is as easy to set up as unfolding an umbrella."

Artificial Christmas trees have no mess and can be stored in the garage or closet and re-used for many years. Whether consumers select one due to allergies, added fire safety, or for the simplicity and ease of an artificial Christmas tree, they can take comfort knowing that artificial trees also continue to be made with top quality in mind. The technology in artificial Christmas trees has definitely come a long way.

For example, pre lit artificial Christmas trees are now extremely popular, cornering the market with 90% of total artificial trees. But although clear lights are still favored over multi-colored lights by over 80% of the market, consumers can now have their cake and eat it too. Balsam Hill™'s Color+Clear™ lights allow buyers to change the lights from clear to multicolor, or both, all with a remote control.

While pre lit or decorated Christmas trees are expected to outshine the competition this season, Harman and other tree manufacturers expect that the upside-down trees that turned last year's holiday on its head are a thing of the past. Other media ploys, like the fiber-optic tree, are also no longer as strong, likely due to the high ticket price and are limited to only smaller trees now.

LED lighted tree sales are expected to be stronger this year because of their energy efficiency, but a vast majority of holiday shoppers still prefer the warm feeling of incandescent lighted trees, proving that even with modernity constantly encroaching, tradition still plays a very large part in the holiday season.