• NYC
  • NJ
  • LI
  • CT
  • Boston
  • LA
  • TRAVEL

View full site
View mobile site
Mommy Poppins - Things to Do in NYC with Kids
  • about
  • advertise
  • submit an event
  • contact
Follow me on twitterFriend on facebookSubscribe to this feed
  • Baby
  • Preschoolers
  • Kids
  • Tweens
  • Manhattan
    • Uptown
    • Downtown
  • Brooklyn
  • Queens
  • Bronx
  • Staten Island
  • Classes
  • Camps
    • Day Camps
    • Sleep Away Camps
  • Preschools
  • Indoor
  • Parties
  • Museums
  • Eat
  • Things to do
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Halloween
    • Holiday
    • Parks
    • Farms
    • Water Fun
  • Visitors
  • Day Trips
  • Event Cal
  • DIRECTORY
  • 5 Fun Memorial Day Weekend Day Trips for NYC Families
  • Best Things to Do with NYC Kids: May 2013
  • New York City Summer Camp and Day Camp Guide 2013
  • Family-Friendly Crown Heights Restaurants: Where to Eat with Kids in Brooklyn
  • This Week: Mommy Poppins App, Memorial Day Weekend Travel Deals, a Dino Ride at the B...
  • Mommy Poppins App Is Coming! Help Us Launch It and Win Cool Rewards
  • Free & Fun Things to Do this Weekend with NYC Kids: Outdoor Festivals, Dance Para...
  • Best Ice Cream and Ices in Queens: 9 Sweet Scoop Spots
  • Crown Heights for Kids: Drop-in Culture Spots Where Families Can Play and Learn
  • News: Disnosaurs in the Bronx, a Mini-Amusement Park in Queens and a New Ice Cream Sh...
  • Coney Island After Sandy: Help Save the Mermaid Parade and Find Out What's Open...
  • AHRC New York City: Assistance for Families with Special Needs
  • I Am Not the Real Mommy Poppins: A Mother's Day Story
  • Joining a NYC Food Coop: Shopping Locally and Investing in Your Community
  • This Week: Free Summer Sports Programs for NYC Kids, Mother's Day in NYC, New Gi...

Our Featured Guide:

Follow me on twitter Friend on facebook Subscribe to this feed

Recent Comments





We've been featured:

featured in logos.jpg

NYC Cheap Christmas Tree Buyers' Guide

Dec 6 2010
  • Stephanie's blog
By Stephanie
Things to do with kids: NYC Cheap Christmas Tree Buyers' Guide

[UPDATED: DECEMBER 3, 2012]

It's that time of year when Christmas tree stalls start popping up on street corners all over NYC.  The kids love stopping to ooh and aah at the gorgeous, giant trees and walking past them smells fabulous. Even for a Grinch like me it's hard to resist the lure of those beautiful trees, despite the fact that I can feel my wallet having a seizure.

Even though I am ambivalent about the tree, I feel I can't really deprive my kids of this special rite of the Holiday season. And if I'm going to get a tree I want it to be the biggest, most beautiful Christmas tree I can get--and cheap, of course. So here's the sum learnings of my years on where to buy a Cheap Christmas Tree in New York City:

Buy on Christmas Eve

Growing up, this was my family's favorite strategy for getting a cheap tree. On Christmas Eve you go out to the guy on the corner and offer him 20 or 25 bucks for whatever scraggly mess he's got left over. Sometimes you hit the jackpot. Sometimes, not so much. I did get a guy one year who refused to come down on his prices and that made me think that maybe I needed a new strategy.

Cut Your Own at The Tree Farm

Was it Norman Rockwell or A Christmas Story that romanticized driving out to the country with your family to cut your own tree? Either way cutting your own tree can be a fun family outing and can save you some bucks on the tree.

Prices will vary at tree farms. Some charge a flat price for any tree, others charge by the foot. Some charge a premium for going on a weekend. You'll probably pay somewhere between $25 and $80 for your tree but you should be able to find a nice tree at the lower end of the price spectrum.

There are some fantastic places to cut your own Christmas Trees in nearby Long Island and New Jersey.  You can even make a fun day of it--some farms offer activities such as carriage rides, Santa photos, roasting marshmallows over an open fire and even holiday shopping.

Mail Order Christmas Trees

Going to the farm is fun, but not so convenient. For the ultimate in convenience, try ordering your tree on the internet. I did this last year and was pleased. The tree was cut on a farm in New Hampshire and arrived two days later, fresh at my door. Who wants a tree that's been hanging out on a street corner anyway?

Besides having a fresh tree delivered right to your door, the great thing about mail order Christmas trees is that they come in a box, which you can keep on until the tree is up in the stand by just opening the bottom to set it up. This way you reduce the mess from needles and sap getting all over the place.

A mail order tree is best if you want a 7-foot tall Christmas tree. They can't ship larger trees without enormous oversize charges and smaller trees don't seem as worth it. It will cost you about $75 including shipping for a 7-foot tree, which is pretty inexpensive, if you factor in the convenience of having your tree delivered. It's best to order early because a lot of farms do sell out and you want to avoid paying rush charges. I found good prices at The Rock Estate, but you can google "mail order christmas tree" and you'll find plenty more.

Christmas Tree Delivery Service in NYC

A post from a reader led us to the most luxurious tree service, ever.

“I have my Christmas Trees delivered to my home. It was the greatest tree ever! 12 ft Balsam Fir. www.Greenpointtrees.com is located in parts of Brooklyn and Queens and will deliver to Manhattan for free what a great service.”

Green Point Trees will deliver your tree, set it up and even decorate it for you if you'd like. Service like this doesn’t come cheap: decoration runs an additional $45 plus $100 per foot. They can also take away your undecorated tree (if you purchased it from them) for another $5 bucks a foot. If you want just a tree, they will deliver a fir from Canada or North Carolina for $80 - $90. They have locations in Brooklyn and Queens, and service the entire city.

Do Some Good with your Christmas Tree

Consider buying a tree from NYC Boy Scout Troop One. While these trees are not necessarily cheap, they are not overly expensive and they support the troop. Buying one of their beautiful Fraser firs helps fund their monthly camping trips and summer camp. Troop One can be found Saturdays and Sundays on the Upper East Side and their trees range from $65 to $115. You can also order online and they'll deliver your tree for no extra charge.

Saturdays and Sundays through December 16, 2012 at:
The corner of 56th & First
The corner of 72nd & First
The corner of 79th & Third

The Mythical $20 Christmas Tree

Does this still exist or has it gone the way of the Dodo? Alas, it seems like the cheapest trees are closer to $25 or $30 this year. But still a pretty good deal if you can find one! One location that's usually a safe bet is the corner of 49th and 9th. Readers have confirmed the availability of $25 trees at this stand. The Gothamist also puts together a handy Christmas Tree Vendor map every year--this is a great resource if you're hunting for bargains in your neighborhood. If anyone finds a great deal, please share it with us in the comments section!

 

Check out our Holiday Guide for lots of other ways to celebrate the season in NYC and find great gift ideas in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.

 

photo credit: slapjack

 

Tags:
  • Baby
  • Christmas/Hanukkah
  • Holidays
  • Kids
  • Preschoolers
  • Services
  • Tweens & Teens
  • Stephanie's blog
Print this page

Similar

  • Having a Greener Christmas: Recycle your treeHaving a Greener Christmas: Recycle your tree
  • Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Fairfield County)Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Fairfield County)
  • Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Litchfield County)Cut Your Own Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Litchfield County)
  • Cut your Own Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Hartford County)Cut your Own Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut (Hartford County)

<< Previous
Things for Kids and Families To Do in New York City - December 4 & 5: Claus, Cows, Carnivals, Concerts & Holiday Fun
Next >>
The New Disney Store in Times Square, Magic Right Around the Corner

Things to do Today

  • Sun 19
  • Mon 20
  • Tue 21
  • Wed 22
  • Thu 23
  • Fri 24
  • Sat 25
Adventures From Ezra Jack Keats
TADA Youth Theater
Various times
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Rennie Harris RHAW
The New Victory Theater
Various times
CMA Around the World: Caribbean Cultural Fest
Children's Museum of Art
10:00am
Fleece Festival
Prospect Park Zoo
11:00am
View all events
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Gateway Storytime In The Discovery Room
American Museum of Natural History
Various times
Moosiki Kids Demo Class
Murray Hill Wee Ones CLub
Various times
Children's Basketball
Nelson A. Rockefeller Park
Various times
Preschool Play
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
10:00am
View all events
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Silly Sing Along with Mike Gold
LARKcafe
10:00am
Preschool Play
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
10:00am
Catch & Release Fishing
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
10:00am
Baby Play at the J
The JCC in Manhattan
1:00pm
View all events
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Moosiki Kids Demo Class
Murray Hill Wee Ones CLub
Various times
Catch & Release Fishing
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
10:00am
Preschool Play
Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park
10:00am
Open Play Session
JACK
10:30am
View all events
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Catch & Release Fishing
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
10:00am
CityParks PuppetMobile Presents: Little Red's Hood
St. James Recreation Center
10:00am
Preschool Art
Nelson A. Rockefeller Park
10:30am
Animal Encounter
Prospect Park Audubon Center
2:00pm
View all events
Rennie Harris RHAW
The New Victory Theater
Various times
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Shababa Fridays
92Y Tribeca
9:30am
Catch & Release Fishing
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
10:00am
Storytime at Book Culture
Book Culture
10:30am
View all events
Rennie Harris RHAW
The New Victory Theater
Various times
The 18th Annual Lower East Side Festival Of The Arts Street Fair & Youth Program
Theater for the New City
Various times
Kings County Fair
Aviator Sports and Events Center
Various times
Governors Island Opening Weekend
Governors Island National Monument
10:00am
New York Aquarium: Partial Re Opening
New York Aquarium
10:00am
View all events
Submit an event




Categories

Beach Vacations (3)Best Family Travel Destinations (1)Books (76)Camps (71)Charming Towns (1)Childcare (12)Christmas/Hanukkah (49)Classes (156)Crafts (74)Cultural Events (228)Educational Travel (5)Fall (39)Family Cruises (3)Family Friendly Hotels (1)Family Photography (8)Family Resorts (5)Family Travel (49)Family Travel Tips (6)Farm Fun (3)Festivals (128)Film (40)Food (174)For Train Lovers (7)Free Activities (265)Giveaways (89)Great Cities (2)Green (41)Halloween (22)Healthy Kids (47)Helpful Products (30)Holidays (175)Indoor Activities (179)Itineraries (75)Kid-Friendly Recipes (9)Multicultural (23)Museums (208)Music (62)Nature (63)News (201)NYC as Classroom (49)Offbeat (33)Other Sites (80)Outdoor Activities (171)Outdoor Adventures (7)Parenting Tips (37)Parks and Playgrounds (124)Parties (68)Photo Gallery (6)Preschool (23)Profiles (4)Schools (51)Services (55)Skiing (5)Small Space Living (16)Spas (2)Special Needs (26)Sports (55)Spring (57)Stores (94)Summer (93)Technology (24)Theme Parks and Water Parks (7)Things to Do (601)Tours (2)Toys and Games (32)Transportation (19)Visiting NYC (49)Water Fun (55)Weekend Trips (63)Winter (63)Zoos and Aquariums (5)

Our Free Online Guides

 

    

   

Our Neighborhood Guides

Things to Do on the Upper West Side

Things to Do on the Upper East Side

Things to Do in Park Slope

Things to Do in Midtown West

Things to Do in Tribeca

Things to Do in Chelsea

Things to Do in Dumbo

Things to Do in Williamsburg

Things to Do in Greenpoint

Things to Do in Harlem

Things to Do in Long Island City

Things to Do in Forest Hills

Things to Do in Fort Greene Clinton Hill

Things to Do in Crown Heights

Things to Do in Chinatown

Things to Do in Jackson Heights

Things to Do in Dyker Heights

Things to Do in Riverdale

More Mommy Poppins Guides

 

  
 

NYC Essentials

200905281641.jpg

Mini Kick Scooter - for kids age 2-5, 3-wheel scooter
The best scooter for preschoolers.

200905281735.jpg

Big Apple Safari for Families: The Urban Park Rangers' Guide to Nature in NYC
Cool outdoor adventures.

 

200905282218.jpg

A Parent's Guide to Special Education in New York City
A comprehensive guide to special education programs

200905281646.jpg

The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools
Still the best reference for NYC preschools.

 

200905281648.jpg

New York City's Best Public Elementary Schools
Must-read for parents going public.

200905281705.jpg
Phil and Teds Double Stroller
Narrow enough for the grocery store aisle.

Visit our store for more NYC essentials

 

Welcome to Mommy Poppins

MommyMommy Poppins is New York City's favorite free online resource for parents and kids where you'll discover the inside skinny on things to do, see, learn, play, make, read, splash, eat, run amok, party and envy in the New York area with kids. I hope you like the site. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.Anna

From the region

Mommy Poppins

  • 5 Fun Memorial Day Weekend Day Trips for NYC Families
  • Family-Friendly Crown Heights Restaurants: Where to Eat with Kids in Brooklyn
  • This Week: Mommy Poppins App, Memorial Day Weekend Travel Deals, a Dino Ride at the Bronx Zoo, Coney Island Post-Sandy
  • Mommy Poppins App Is Coming! Help Us Launch It and Win Cool Rewards
  • Free & Fun Things to Do this Weekend with NYC Kids: Outdoor Festivals, Dance Parade, Kings County Fair May 18-19

Mommy Poppins

  • Long Island Kids' Activities May 18 & 19: EMCON3 Anime Festival, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Fleece & Fiber Fair
  • Long Island Kids' Activities May 11 & 12: Mother's Day Dinner, Mother's Day At Old Westbury Gardens, Mother's Day Pizza Party
  • Fit4Mom in Nassau and Suffolk Counties
  • Mother's Day Brunches on Long Island
  • Cinco de Mayo Events and Activities for Kids and Families on Long Island

Mommy Poppins

  • Kid-Friendly NJ-Based Party Boats
  • Mostly Free & Fun Things To Do With NJ Kids This Weekend May 18-19: Mayfest, Big Truck Day, Woodland Walk & More!
  • Spend a Day at the Turtle Back Zoo
  • Skylands: New Jersey Botanical Garden
  • Traincation! A NJ Transit "Fun" Day on the Midtown Direct

Mommy Poppins

  • Mostly Free and Fun Things To Do With Kids This Weekend May 18-19: Farms, Festivals, Wheel Fun Day and Outdoor Art
  • Springtime Visits to Baby Farm Animals in Fairfield County, CT
  • A Day Trip to The USS Nautilus Submarine Force Museum in New London County
  • Mostly Free and Fun Things to do with Kids in CT This Weekend May 11-12: Fairy Gardens, Arts Festivals and Mother's Day Events
  • Mother's Day Fun in Fairfield County, Connecticut
©2007-2013 Mommy Poppins. All rights reserved.