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[SmartShop] Christmas Trees

Real ... fake ... its all the same to Santa - By Jodie, Dec 10, 07

Christmas is fast approaching, and Santa's holiday cheer is materializing all throughout the city. Not one to miss out on the festivities, Shanghai, too, has jumped on the holiday bandwagon: the jolly tunes of Christmas have seized the city's department stores, where the necessary pre-holiday shopping is evidently in full swing. Depending on how much you like your family, indeed spending time with them is the most important part of the holidays. But of comparable importance is the Christmas tree you put up each year. Though Shanghai may lack Christmas trees of the hardy Blue Spruce variety, we've scoured the city looking for the best alternatives. And here they are... Secret Garden:
Secret Garden Florist, a boutique florist near Xintiandi, offers both real and fake Christmas trees. If you are pining for the woodsy scent of a real tree this season, they can be found here for 480rmb (1 meter tall). These are quite pretty, though don't expect the same robust trees you might be used to. These trees have fine branches and soft bristles, and are delicate and lovely with the addition of lights and decoration. The same type of tree at 1.5 – 2 meters is also available for 780rmb - ornaments included for both.

Also, for 280rmb, you can purchase a tall potted plant in the shape of the traditional Christmas tree, but the branches will be too soft to hang ornaments and the shape is considerably thinner than the 480rmb tree. A final option is a fake Christmas tree fully decked out in lights, bows, dangles and jangles. These are 2 meters tall and sell for 1880rmb. Delivery on trees is free approximately within the Hongqiao area.

Also for your consideration are large wreaths (fake) decorated with ornaments for 990rmb, small wreaths (real) for 100rmb and Poinsettia plants (real) for 48rmb.

Yu Gardens:
If you can feel contented with a fake Christmas tree of dubious quality this season, look no further than the Yu Gardens for dirt-cheap prices on trees and decorations galore. Prices depend on quality/ seller stall, and may vary for foreigners (as I am Chinese), but here is a survey of asking prices:

1.5 m- 1.8m: asking price around 35rmb (the most standard size)
2-2.5 m: 90-100rmb
Taller trees also available, ie for offices/ parties
3 m: 150rmb
4 m: 700rmb
5 m: 1,500rmb
8 m: 7,800rmb

Carrefour and Walmart:
Depending on whether you live in downtown Puxi, Pudong, or the sticks (like me), Carrefour and Walmart can variously cater to your Christmas cravings. Obviously, the trees are fake and prices are higher than the Yu Gardens, but on account of convenience, Carrefour and Walmart may or may not be god’s gift to man.


Carrefour:
1.5 meters: 52.90rmb/ 259 rmb (better quality)
1.8 meters: 132.9rmb/ 399 rmb (better quality)
3 meters – 399rmb

Snow-laden Christmas tree 1.65 m: 399rmb
Poinsettia plants (real): 18rmb

Walmart:
1.8 meters: 499rmb (decked out w/lights and ornaments)
Sparse-looking trees for 125rmb
Small trees for under 50rmb

SmartShop returns later this week fielding user requests for items. So far we're got requests to find art supplies, Beatles t-shirts, fake Uggs and Bape clothing. Do you know where we can find any of these things? Help. Please. Tell us where to go here. Got something you want us to add to our shopping list? Use that email link and let us know...

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