It might be the influence of the pandemic that is leading more Icelanders to set up Christmas trees this year than last year. In a recent survey conducted by MMR, 86% of respondents stated they would put up a Christmas tree in their home this year, up from 83% last year. Artificial trees continue to grow in popularity: 58% of respondents say they will opt for one this Christmas rather than a real tree, a proportion that has been steadily rising from 50% in 2010.
The proportion of those who plan to install live trees has decreased by 14 percentage points since 2010 from 42% to 28%. A total of 14% stated they will not have a Christmas tree this year, a decrease of three percentage points between years.
More Women Prefer Artificial Trees, More Men Prefer None
More female respondents chose artificial trees than male respondents (61% versus 54%). Men are more likely not to put up trees than women, however (18% versus 11%). More rural residents than capital area residents choose artificial Christmas trees for their homes, though the difference is small (61% to 58%).
Respondents 68 years and older are more likely than those in other age groups to not have a Christmas tree in their home: a total of 24% of that age group stated they would not do so this year. Those between the ages of 30-49 were most likely to say they would set up a Christmas tree, or 90%, and 60% of them chose artificial trees.
Pirates Avoid Trees
MMR’s yearly tree survey also compares Christmas tree preferences to political leanings. Supporters of the Left-Green Movement, the Progressive Party, and the Social Democratic Alliance are most likely to choose a genuine Christmas tree, while supporters of the Centre Party and the Reform Party are most likely to choose an artificial tree. A total of 31% of those who support the Pirate Party do not plan to install Christmas trees in their homes this year, the highest percentage among all parties in the poll.
