BRITS are chopping pounds off bills by choosing smaller Christmas trees.
Independent seller Clive Collins has seen a “sea change” in spending habits this year.
GettyBrits are saving this Christmas by choosing smaller trees[/caption]
Instead of plumping for 8/9ft trees at £100, people are buying 6ft trees for £60 at his Catsfield Christmas Tree Farm near Battle, East Sussex.
Clive added: “Smaller trees also need less tinsel and baubles.
“The cost of living crisis is real.”
Rod Strawson, 49, who sells 25,000 trees from his farm in Louth, Lincs, added: “There was a stampede last weekend but the public have tightened their belts.”
Mairi Devlin, at B&Q, which has 300 stores, added: “We’re seeing more shoppers opt for more costeffective, smaller trees.”
And garden centres chain Dobbies added: “Many people are considering costs.”
Clive has been awarded for his work in business.
He won a £20,000 disabled entrepreneur award set up by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou to show disability is not an impediment to success.
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association urged people to buy homegrown ones, saying: “British trees are fresher so last longer and there are no import costs.
“It means the consumer gets better value while supporting the local economy.”