[Correspondent Diary] US Christmas Tree Soothing the Pain of COVID-19

Surge in US Christmas Tree Sales... Holiday Ornament Sales Also Booming
Finding Comfort in Christmas Tree Decorations
Attention on New York City's Iconic Christmas Tree
Successful Lighting of Tree Despite Citizens' Concerns

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] In the United States, the Christmas season begins right after Thanksgiving. Households and retailers alike set up Christmas trees and decorations all at once.

This year, Christmas decorations are particularly extravagant. Analysts attribute this to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans, exhausted by COVID-19, are eagerly decorating Christmas trees in search of emotional comfort.

The Christmas tree erected in front of Rockefeller Center in Manhattan completed its decorations and held a lighting ceremony on the 2nd. Contrary to concerns, the tree returned as a lush symbol of New York City during the year-end and New Year season.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Recently, the Christmas tree-related industry has been booming in the U.S.

Especially this year, sales of Christmas tree trees have surged more than in any other year. U.S. media outlets such as Bloomberg reported that although sales of artificial Christmas trees have increased over the past few years, natural Christmas tree sales have emerged as the dominant trend this year.

Thanks to this, Christmas tree farms are enjoying their best boom even amid the COVID-19 situation.

Deborah Case, a Christmas tree farm owner, said, "Customers buying Christmas trees often say that COVID-19 will not ruin Christmas."

Tree buyers are not hesitant to visit farms far away to select better trees. With year-end travel restrictions recommended, purchasing a beautiful tree has become a way to relieve stress.

One consumer told Fox News, "Every year I decorated with an artificial tree, but this year I woke up early in the morning to get a real tree."

In the U.S., it is common to see scenes of people transporting Christmas trees on car roofs at year-end, but this year more people are going from the city to the suburbs to buy trees and return home.

As tree sales increase, sales of decorations and lights are also booming. A Christmas goods store seller told CBS, "Sales have doubled or tripled. We have also hired new employees." Large retailers like Walmart also experienced a surge in online sales of Christmas decorations during the Thanksgiving shopping period.

Janette Pavini, who runs a consumer trend tracking blog, analyzed that due to stay-at-home orders and remote work, people spending more time at home have increased their desire to decorate Christmas trees. She explained, "Consumers who had a very difficult year due to the health crisis and economic crisis caused by COVID-19, combined with the election, are seeking solace in Christmas trees."

In New York City, which attracted global attention due to a large number of deaths early in the COVID-19 pandemic, a symbolic Christmas tree was also lit.

The Christmas tree installed in front of Rockefeller Center in Manhattan stands bare and sparse. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The giant Christmas tree installed in front of Rockefeller Center in Manhattan was lit on the 2nd and began to show off its splendid appearance.

This tree also sparked considerable controversy this year, something that did not happen in previous years.

After the tree was erected on the 14th of last month, its bare appearance shocked New Yorkers. Just two days before being loaded onto a truck, the tree boasted lush branches.

So much so that a comment circulated on social media calling it a self-portrait of the COVID-19 era. In response, Rockefeller Center, which prepared the tree, had to explain that it takes time for the tree to return to its original appearance.

Regarding this phenomenon, The New York Times analyzed, "The tree has been erected in a bare state every year and takes some time to return to its proper form," and that the controversy over this year's tree expressed the disappointment of those who expected Christmas trees as a refuge during the COVID-19 era.

Fortunately, the Christmas tree revealed at the lighting ceremony showed its usual appearance.

Owl found on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree (Twitter capture)

The discovery of an 'uninvited guest' owl in the tree was also unusual.

The owl was transported to New York City along with the tree and its nest, was discovered by workers, and handed over to an animal protection organization.

New Yorkers showed great interest in the owl found in the tree. The owl was nicknamed 'Rockefeller' and, after care, regained its strength and returned to nature.

Did New Yorkers see hope for New York to return to pre-COVID times in the Christmas tree and the 'Rockefeller' owl, despite being battered by COVID-19?

As of the 4th, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Manhattan, New York City, reached 543. Queens reported 862, and the Bronx 554 cases. Across New York State, 11,271 new infections were confirmed. This is the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It is still an overwhelming number to expect hope.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.