Slim and Trim: Now even Christmas trees are getting skinnier. Here’s why

Skinny Christmas trees, also known as pencil trees, are trending this holiday season.

Earlier this month, American actress Kelly Ripa shared a picture of her slim tree on social media, captioning it: “She’s skinny, don’t shame her,” and playfully nicknamed it “Treezempic.”

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With rising costs and smaller living spaces, these sleek, space-saving alternatives are becoming a budget-friendly replacement for traditional full-bodied evergreens.

Why skinny Christmas trees are trending now

The trend of skinny Christmas trees, nicknamed “Treezempic” on social media after a weight-loss drug, is reshaping holiday decor. These minimalist, budget-friendly trees are ideal for tighter spaces and eliminate the need for major furniture rearrangements, according to The Telegraph UK.

Sarah Evans, who works at Christmas Tree World in Wigan, noted a 35% surge in slimline tree sales this year, including pencil and snow-covered varieties. Evans told the British daily that as living spaces shrink, these narrow-profile trees allow more people to enjoy festive decorations, even in compact homes.

“It gives people the opportunity to have a tree when normally they wouldn’t be able to fit one in,” Evans said.

Skinny trees are especially popular in apartments or urban homes where space is limited. Their design fits perfectly into corners or against walls.

Melissa Mills, Senior VP of Merchandising at Michaels, told The Washington Post, “We have definitely seen a higher - and earlier - demand for more slender trees this year, which is interesting because these models traditionally tend to sell later in the season.”

“Currently, sales of slim and pencil-style trees are tracking 5% higher than 2023 and are far exceeding our expectations. Many of our styles have nearly sold out, with the Cashmere Pencil Tree standing out as our most popular — exceeding projected sales by over 25 per cent.”

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Skinny Christmas trees, mostly artificial, are becoming a popular trend on social media. Jill Sidebottom, a spokesperson for the National Christmas Tree Association, told The Post that real Christmas trees are graded for density by the US Department of Agriculture, and tree farmers would be unlikely to sell slim trees.

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Retailers have also pointed to the smaller size of modern living rooms as a factor, saying homes are “just smaller now than they were a generation ago.”

A recent study found that the average living room size in homes built since 2010 is about 184 square feet, which is a 32 per cent reduction from the 268 square feet typical in the 1970s, the report said.

How celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, are driving this new trend

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Michelle Keegan are leading this new trend of swapping out a single large Christmas tree for several smaller ones placed around their homes.

Kardashian, for example, decorates her children’s bedrooms with small trees, while Brassic actress Keegan, who set up her decorations as early as November, has multiple mini trees displayed above her front porch and throughout her £3.5million Essex home, which she shares with reality TV star Mark Wright, Daily Mail reported.

Kelly Ripa joined the trend by posting a picture of her slim tree, calling it “Treezempic” and saying: “She’s skinny, don’t shame her.”

Ripa added, “I’ve never been able to get around to the backside of the tree. It’s usually under-decorated because I just can’t get back there. But now, it’s fully dressed.”

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Beware: You can be allergic to your Christmas tree

Hidden allergens in your tree might be responsible for a condition known as “Christmas tree syndrome.”

According to Everyday Health, “Christmas tree syndrome” refers to symptoms caused by exposure to natural Christmas trees or seasonal plants like holly, pine, and fir. While anyone can be affected, people with pre-existing allergies or asthma are particularly vulnerable.

Though not officially recognised as a medical condition, the term emerged after a 1970 study revealed that a small number of people experienced worsened allergy symptoms after setting up their trees.

Artificial trees can also contribute to similar issues if not stored properly, as they may accumulate dust, mould, or other allergens over time.

Symptoms of this syndrome closely resemble those of seasonal allergies and can vary from mild to severe. Common signs include sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, itchy and red eyes, rashes or irritated skin, a sore throat, and sinus pressure.

With inputs from agencies