BRITS are chopping pounds off bills by choosing smaller Christmas trees.
Independent seller Clive Collins has seen a “sea change” in spending habits this year.
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Instead of plumping for 8/9ft trees at £100, people are buying 6ft trees for £60 at his Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm near Battle, East Sussex.
Clive, who won a disabled entrepreneur award, added: “Smaller trees also need less tinsel and baubles.
“The cost of living crisis is real.”
Rod Strawson, 49, who sells 25,000 trees from his farm in Louth, Lincs, added: “There was a stampede last weekend but the public have tightened their belts.”
Mairi Devlin, at B&Q, which has 300 stores, added: “We’re seeing more shoppers opt for more costeffective, smaller trees.”
And garden centres chain Dobbies added: “Many people are considering costs.”
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association urged people to buy homegrown ones, saying: “British trees are fresher so last longer and there are no import costs.
“It means the consumer gets better value while supporting the local economy.”
