With four days remaining till Christmas Day eve, sales of artificial Christmas trees and related decorative items such as bells, lights, gift boxes, Santa hats, greeting cards have increased in the Valley. 

The sales of artificial Christmas tree have increased in recent years as schools, corporate houses, shopping malls, automobile showrooms, have started decorating their premises with Christmas trees, lights, gift boxes and Santa hats.

Christmas trees are normally sold a month before Christmas Day, said Anil Kumar Jalan, owner of Hallmark Cards and Gifts at Jawlakhel. Jalan revealed that he sells Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 worth of Christmas trees per day.

Normally, the demand for gifts and cards increases by 50 percent a month before Christmas Day and Valentine’s Day, said gift shop owners. The rise in gift culture has boosted the sales of gift items like cards, flowers, chocolates, clay statue, toys and other related gift items during these festive seasons.    

Different gift shops are offering various ranges of artificial Christmas trees with decorative items. The trees are priced according to their height. 

Hallmark Cards and Gifts is offering normal, white and light Christmas trees. The shop has been selling Christmas trees 1 feet tall to 10 feet tall, with prices ranging from Rs150 to Rs3,250. “Decorative items for the tree are available from Rs50 to Rs500,” said Jalan. 

Similarly, Christmas trees with heights of 1 to 9 feet are available at Archies Gallery based in Newroad, with prices ranging from Rs195 to Rs5,500 while decorative items like bells, lights, gift boxes are available from Rs150 to Rs950, said Sangeeta Maharjan, sales girl of the shop. She said that the shop has been selling more than 15 Christmas trees per day during the festival time. 

Maharjan said that the sales of Jesus statue, cards also increase in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Keeping a Christmas tree has become trend as people have started buying even a small Christmas tree in recent years, said Maharjan. Similarly, Santa hats are the best selling item after Christmas trees. Santa hats are available from Rs40 to Rs150 at Hallmark Gifts and Cards.  

Sales of Santa musical goods, candles, Santa dress have also been increasing during Christmas time, said a gift shop owner. The country imports Christmas related goods from China, said traders. Jalan said that he has been purchasing Christmas festive items from local suppliers.