Tree timing tips
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If you haven't bought your Christmas tree yet, you're not a Grinch — and you're probably saving money!
The big picture: Christmas tree prices peak around Thanksgiving and mostly fall thereafter, new data from Square shows.
Why it matters: For the live tree lovers among us, timing your annual purchase is a delicate balance between price and how long you'll get to enjoy a majestic pine or spruce in your living room.
By the numbers: The average Christmas tree went for a high of around $131 on Thanksgiving last year, then fell to about $55 by Christmas Eve.
Between the lines: Actual local prices depend on several factors, including the success of nearby growers' annual yields and drought conditions.
The bottom line: Tree sellers moved 90% of their inventory by mid-December last year, per Square — so now is a great time to buy especially if you love Charlie Brown trees.
Yes, but: It's also ok to skip a tree altogether or explore other options.
Clarridge's thought bubble: One year, I grouped my houseplants together and wrapped them in lights; another I adorned three bamboo shoots in a vase with a few favorite ornaments and fairy lights.