When the Parcel Deliverer Brings the Fresh Christmas Tree
12/4/2024 Retail Brands Industry Look into Europe Article

When the Parcel Deliverer Brings the Fresh Christmas Tree

E-commerce is booming during the Advent season. It's not just fashion and toy retailers that are benefiting from this. Real Christmas trees are also ordered at the click of a mouse and delivered fresh. What needs to be considered? What packaging is used?

Packed Christmas tree is carried on shoulder. For many people, the natural Christmas tree is simply part of Christmas. It requires a lot of work and attention from Christmas tree growers – all year round.
The Nordmann fir is the most popular tree for Christmas. Consumers in Germany are paying between 21 and 29 euros per meter of Nordmann fir this year, says Eberhard Hennecke from the Federal Association of Christmas Tree and Cut Greenery Producers. According to the industry association, Germans buy between 23 and 25 million Christmas trees every year. Around 19 million of these come from Germany. The rest are imported from Denmark and other countries.
Decorated Christmas tree in the outdoor area. The natural Christmas tree is simply irreplaceable. More and more companies are also offering online delivery.

Most consumers who want to put up a real tree at home for the festive season buy it from a forestry company, garden center or local retailer. There is also the tradition of cutting the tree yourself, but it involves a little effort and time. Many festival lovers also like things to be a little more convenient. Without the hassle of car transportation and stressful search for a parking space - and without the tradition of choosing a tree.

In short: those who order almost everything online also look for real Christmas trees on their smartphone or PC.

Cardboard and Plastic Netting

More and more tree growers are therefore also selling their trees online or to online retailers. What kind of packaging does a Nordmann fir or a blue spruce – the number 2 most popular Christmas tree – need? The answer is simple: not much. A cardboard box and a plastic net.

This explains why the mail-order business with the trees can function quite smoothly and is not a logistical challenge, but rather a matter of taste. The online retailer “Meine Tanne” explains: “The cut tree is pulled into a net so that it fits perfectly into a shipping box. To ensure that the top of the Christmas tree does not suffer, the tree is also locked in the box. We use particularly strong shipping boxes to ensure that the Christmas tree survives shipping undamaged.” After unpacking, the end customer should ideally place the tree upright and store it in a cool, dry place.

The family business Allenbacher Weihnachtsbäume explains that it nets the tree on request and recommends this to prevent branches from breaking. “If it is netted, it is also easier to carry through the living rooms and put up in the stand.” It should be noted that the tree needs some time for the branches to return to their original position.

The shipping giant Amazon also has Christmas trees in its range. The trees ordered are cut, staked and packaged shortly before shipping so that they arrive fresh at the customer's door, explains Amazon. As the Nordmann fir, for example, is robust and has a long shelf life anyway, express delivery is not an issue. A desired delivery day can be communicated; deliveries will usually be made up to and including December 16-18. DIY stores such as Hagebau and Obi also send Nordmann firs and other trees to their customers.

Christmas Baubles in a Complete Package

Those who like it really convenient can also order a complete package. Kaisertanne, for example, not only offers Nordmann firs, but also the matching Christmas baubles and other decorations and utensils. These are packaged individually, but come in one delivery. Trees over 2 meters in height are delivered exclusively by a forwarding agent, explains Kaisertanne. All retailers advise customers to order in advance. So anyone who tries to do it at the last minute every year should go to a stationary retailer or a forestry company.