Page 55 - Tim Oconnor News Today

Christmas trees and holiday lights selling out as Americans stick close to home By Kate Gibson Santas around U.S. work to make kids happy The holiday break is starting sooner than expected for the owners of Papa Noel Christmas Trees in Austin, Texas, a family-run operation that typically runs out of trees just before December 25. This year is different: Papa Noel called the season a wrap this past weekend after it ran out of trees amid unusually strong consumer demand. "Ive ...

Dec. 16, 2020 Diana Karvelis spent 15 minutes choosing just the right Christmas tree — a five-footer that cost $65 — at a stand in the East Village on a freezing weekday night. “In the past it’s been a ‘nice to have,’ now it’s a ‘need to have,’” she said. Ms. Karvelis, who was laid off from her job and moved to a new apartment in the midst of the pandemic, said that in a year when she could not see her family in person, the experience reminded her of cutting down a Christmas...

Christmas trees and lights selling out amid pandemic demand Kate Gibson © Papa Noel Christmas Trees 129883557-3567295626649390-8492531184841128477-n.jpg The holiday break is starting sooner than expected for the owners of Papa Noel Christmas Trees in Austin, Texas, a family-run operation that typically runs out of trees just before December 25. This year is different: Papa Noel called the season a wrap this past weekend after it ran out of trees amid unusually strong consumer...