KUWAIT: As Christmas approaches, festive decor lights up malls, hotels and homes across Kuwait. Yet behind the bright displays, Christmas trees and decorations have become increasingly scarce in stores, with surprisingly high prices. One customer, Daisy Joseph, told Kuwait Times: “Prices are definitely higher this year, even at the usual discount stores that are often known as ‘everyone’s place to shop’.”
She explained that compared to last year, she has noticed an increase of around 15 to 20 percent. “A Christmas tree that would have cost about KD 10 is now being sold for KD 25, and most items are marked with fixed prices, making it very much a take-it-or-leave-it situation,” she said.
Joseph pointed out that celebrating Christmas is a must and something no one can really give up, especially with creative new concepts such as Santa arriving by train or helicopter, which feels far more relatable for her children than the traditional sleigh pulled by reindeer. “We ended up buying a few new items from the local market and plan to reuse what we already have,” she noted.
Overall, Joseph concluded that prices of artificial Christmas trees have gone up, with theme-based decorations particularly expensive. In many cases, the price and quality simply do not match. “We bought a Christmas tree with artificial snow so our children could experience
a sense of winter, but even before setting it up, much of the snow had already fallen off. Perhaps the production itself leans more towards Gen Z attitudes than those of millennials. Still, despite the price hikes, celebrations remain celebrations,” she said.
Another customer, Antonio Coelho, said: “The prices of Christmas trees and decorations have clearly increased, and only a limited number of shops and supermarkets are selling them. Seven years ago, I bought a six-foot Christmas tree for less than KD 15. This year, similar trees are priced at KD 35 or more, depending on the quality. I eventually settled for an eight-foot tree.”
He added that lighting has also become much more expensive. “What we used to buy for KD 1.5 or KD 2 now costs around KD 6 for a 300-light set. While prices have gone up, people are still buying because they want to enjoy the Christmas spirit, which comes only once a year,” Coelho said. “My daughters ended up ordering decorations from Temu, as we couldn’t find similar items in the Kuwait market. We already have many decorative pieces, but they now feel outdated. Some supermarkets do offer more modern and trendy items, but prices vary significantly.”
Meanwhile, online shopping carts are filling up with decorations and festive supplies. While prices may be climbing, the spirit of the season remains undeterred for many shoppers. John K Philip, who is shopping online, said he has clearly noticed a rise in prices this year. According to him, decorative items and Christmas lights have become about 10 percent dearer compared to last year. Despite the increase, Philip noted that higher prices have not affected his decision to celebrate Christmas. “No matter the price, we will still decorate and celebrate. Christmas décor is an essential part of the festivities and the price hike has done little to dampen the excitement.”
On the other hand, Mini V Chandy views Christmas shopping from a very different perspective. Her purchases revolve around baking essentials such as dry fruits for plum cakes and packing materials, rather than Christmas trees or decorative lights. She indicated that she has observed a noticeable increase in prices, especially for dry fruits and cake-packing items. Compared to last year, she estimates the rise at around 15 to 20 percent for dry fruits alone, with packing materials also becoming more expensive.
However, Chandy added that rising prices have not discouraged her from celebrating Christmas in her own way. Baking cakes remains a cherished tradition for her, and she continues to shop online for the items needed for her celebrations.
A walk through shops in Salmiya and Hawally reveals a fragmented market. Some outlets display only a handful of artificial trees, while others offer limited decorations in different styles and sizes, with price tags varying widely. Speaking to Kuwait Times, one salesman said: “We used to receive several shipments before December. This year, quantities are much lower. Shipping costs are higher, and suppliers are more cautious, so we cannot stock as much as before.”
Another vendor pointed to rising import costs. “Most of these trees and decorations come from abroad. Customs fees and even storage costs have increased, and with no high demand in the market, the owner stops importing.”
However, according to another salesman, pricing depends largely on quality and timing of purchase. He noted that decorations vary widely in quality and style, which determines their price, and that most expats search for cheaper options. He added that in wholesale outlets that typically offer bulk prices, major retailers have stopped importing high-quality Christmas trees, citing declining customer demand. Some stores, he said, purchased their stock earlier in the year at lower prices.
He also acknowledged that demand itself plays a role. With fewer products available, prices tend to rise as December progresses, affirming that limited supply combined with higher demand inevitably leads to higher prices.
