Whether you go real or artificial, setting up the Christmas tree is a tradition for many holiday revelers. But how much will it cost you to add to the merriment this year? At Cedar Hill Christmas Tree Farm in Pakenham, the McParland family say they get a Christmas tree every year the first chance they can. “We got a Fraser fir (this year), and it’s usually too big for our house every year,” said Emily McParland. “But that’s okay. Usually, we get a little overzealous.” At about eight feet tall, she says this year’s tree is coming in at $110, a little bit more than the family paid last year. But making memories with her young children, including being able to cut the three down themselves after a tractor ride, is all part of the Christmas magic. “It’s the experience for us,” she said. “It’s just something about it—it smells good, it’s worth it. I think we’d pay any amount for it.” Owner Pam Martin says trees are priced individually based on size, overall quality, and the type of tree shoppers pick. She says a standard seven-to-eight-foot tree will run between $80 and $110 this year, only a slight increase from last year to account for inflation. “We’re trying to keep it as affordable as we can,” Martin said. “As a family with four kids of our own, we understand how expensive the holidays can be. That’s why when people come to our farm there is no admission fee.” If you’re in the market for an artificial tree, the owner of the Metcalfe Home Hardware, Adam McCosham, says trees run between $100 and $400. “The cost for the trees relatively the same, but the discounts are much better this year,” he said. He says prices are consistent with last year because the trees are unaffected by tariffs, since most come from China. He says this year shoppers can expect more discounts, and demand for the artificial trees is expected to grow. “I’ll usually order about six artificial trees for the year, but this year we have about two dozen.”
