Many in Malaysia hunting for Christmas trees

Businesses are finding good traffic, especially from last-minute shoppers to spruce up their homes with festive ornaments.

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Twinkling attractions: Chew placing ornaments on the display Christmas trees at the shop in Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

December 9, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR – Christmas will be an extra merry affair this year, with many looking to end the year on a high.

Businesses are finding good traffic, especially from last-minute shoppers to spruce up their homes with festive ornaments.

At a popular chain of shops selling trinkets and other accessories, Christmas trees with heights ranging from 1.2m to 3m are sold between RM65 and RM549.

The shops’ supervisor, Kenny Chew, said they have various sizes of Christmas trees to cater to all households.

“Our smallest is 1.2m tall, then 1.5m, 1.8m and 2m, with our biggest being 3m.

“So far, business has been good, definitely better than during Covid-19 in the past two years.

“We do have sales of trees daily.

“It is not as much as before the pandemic in 2019, but sales are picking up as we get closer to the date and with people getting into the festive mood,” he said.

Chew said the trees used to be cheaper but due to shipment issues caused by the pandemic, they had to raise the prices but assured that it is not by much.

“The price has gone up by around RM10 or so and we do offer promotions.

“If customers buy the trees from us, we have a package that includes ornaments, colour-themed decorations and lighting.

“They also get 15% off their whole purchase if they choose to take our Christmas deals,” he said.

Dozens of artificial pine trees adorned with bells, garlands, baubles and lights also await customers at a toy shop in Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong.

With prices to match every budget, the shop’s Christmas trees range from RM90 to RM1,400 each.

Sales executive Lu Siew Kheng said on average, each family would spend between RM300 and RM500 for a tree, although it may vary more.

“Usually, a family would spend about RM300 for a tree and add another RM100 for ornaments.

“Such trees can last for about five years before they need to be replaced,” she said.

Lu also said business has returned after two years of muted celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Many interior decorators and event planners are back to source for good deals from us.

“They include contractors who would set up for hotels and commercial outlets.

“As for families, a steady stream of shoppers have started arriving since early December,” she said.

However, expect prices to be slightly higher this year due to economic constraints.

“Our currency has dropped, the price of raw materials has increased, and we did not travel to China this year to personally source for goods.

“Everything was ordered through an online catalogue and they arrived only in October.

Meanwhile, several events have also been planned to usher in the season of joy and gaiety,

On Dec 3, a Christmas Market was held at Casa Permai in Tanjung Bungah, offering various Christmas-related items and services on sale.

The colourful state Christmas Celebration 2022 will also be back at the Esplanade from 5pm to 10pm tomorrow.

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