The Economics of Christmas Trees • Hacker News Board

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#161

Post by rdj » Mon, Dec 07, 2020, 4:54 PM UTC

ethbr0 wrote: post #156

rdj wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Our place currently has limited attractions with several planned for next year. There is a gift shop that drives significant revenue, but was closed this year due to COVID. We offer free hot chocolate (small disposable cup). For the gift shop we have a multifaceted approach which includes buying things wholesale, making items in our shop, and partnering with other makers. Drilling and bailing is included in the price…

Thanks for responding to all the questions her. Fascinating business! And fwiw, the narrow-gauge railroad got a lot of attention from the kids. Not sure on the maintenance (especially per track-foot), but the engine appeared to have been homemade -- if you've had a burning desire to repurpose a small diesel.

We actually discussed a small train and decided to go with horse and sleigh next year, mostly because of upkeep and the ability to reuse that portion of the property for other things in the off season.

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#162

Post by cptskippy » Mon, Dec 07, 2020, 5:29 PM UTC

robocat wrote: post #117

cptskippy wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish they explored the ACTA claims that artificial Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than real trees. Artificial trees are made from PVC and the by products of PVC manufacturing are highly toxic and historically highly polluting. In order for that claim to be true under China's lax regulatory environment, either they have some revolutionary new method of producing PVC or farming Christmas trees is h…

But trees or rotting trees can produce methane. Depends on tree variety, location, transport, and disposal. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170330190304.h... As a heuristic, the amount you spend is approximately the damage, unless you know a lot about where the money is going. E.g. if there is a retailer involved then 50% of environmental damage is invariant.

> But trees or rotting trees can produce methane. Depends on tree variety, location, transport, and disposal.

What do location and transport have to do with the methane they produce?

If you look at the article, the map of production by states shows that trees are relatively much closer to population centers than anything coming from China. So in addition to the heavy pollution from PVC production, there's also the heavy pollution from transoceanic shipping.

Just how much methane do these rotting trees produce?

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#163

Post by secabeen » Mon, Dec 07, 2020, 5:44 PM UTC

rdj wrote: post #160

cm2012 wrote: post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By the way if you're looking for additional income streams, I know a place that does huge business with "pumpkin picking" (they buy commercial pumpkins and throw them on the ground in their property) as well as easter egg hunts (sample principle, with eggs with toys inside). It could work for you.

You must have tapped into our meeting...that's on the plan for next fall!

Our local place makes a small corn maze to go along with the pumpkins; pretty fun!

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#164

Post by shard » Tue, Dec 08, 2020, 12:48 AM UTC

ExcavateGrandMa wrote: post #104

here someone as done christmas tree out of wood sticks and rope... she put all sticks in parallel with the longer one starting from bottom to the short one at top all attached together... no Idea if u get the thing... anyway FUCk christmas :)

Apparently that's the new style of space saving Christmas tree this year (something like https://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/219573-Christmas...), I've been seeing it in stores both on- and offline. A few years ago it was the string of lights arranged in a tree shaped zigzag on the wall (like https://m.imgur.com/MnfslhA?r).

Re: The Economics of Christmas Trees

#165

Post by _carbyau_ » Tue, Dec 08, 2020, 10:29 PM UTC

yitchelle wrote: post #144

_carbyau_ wrote: post #111

I have a 2 yr old and I want him to have a brilliant childhood. But we're not having a pine tree taking up space (we live a in 2bdr apartment), dying and making a mess for no good reason. But then, there are so many Xmas things that don't make sense in Australia.

> don't make sense in Australia. That comment make me smile. After moving out of Australia to Germany, those crazy things (hot turkey dinners in 45 degC days) started to make sense for me. Enjoy your the Aussie Christmas!

Thank you for the well wishes.

While much Xmas themed stuff doesn't really apply to Australia, thankfully at the moment neither does COVID! So we're pretty well off even before we get to Xmas fun.

Enjoy your hot turkey in the colder north! Best wishes for staying safe, well and having a great time with family and friends!