Residents in a North Wales seaside town have unleashed a wave of mockery over what they are calling a 'threadbare' Christmas tree, with many suggesting it looks like it has 'been on the fat jabs'. The 16-foot Norwegian Spruce, erected on Rhyl's High Street, has become an unlikely symbol of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Locals have taken to social media to deride the tree's sparse appearance, labelling it a 'Temu tree' in a cutting comparison to the cut-price online retailer. One resident joked that they had witnessed 'bigger branches' being dragged by dogs, highlighting the widespread disappointment with this year's festive centrepiece.
A Tradition Under Scrutiny
This public criticism comes just ahead of the town's Christmas lights switch-on event, scheduled for Saturday, November 22. In previous years, Rhyl has been known for its impressive displays featuring large and healthy trees in the town centre, making this year's 'skinny' offering a stark contrast that has not gone unnoticed.
Fundraiser Richard Kendrick of Helping Homeless North Wales, who will be collecting donations by the tree in the coming weeks, confirmed the visual discrepancy. 'It's the same height but it's not as robust or developed,' he observed. 'It just looks so thin.' Mr Kendrick suggested the council should be more discerning, stating they should 'be looking at what they are buying before they pay for it, not just accepting whatever they're given.'
Council and Growers Blame Nature
In response to the backlash, Rhyl Town Council has defended its choice, pointing the finger at nature itself. A council spokesperson explained that the authority favours real trees due to a commitment to reducing plastic use, but acknowledged that 'things don't always grow perfectly.'
The council's position is supported by a national industry body. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) had already issued a warning that trees across the country may be shorter and more 'gappy' this year. They attribute this to two consecutive poor growing seasons, citing a particularly wet period in 2024 followed by an intense dry spell, which has significantly hampered growth.
Richard Kendrick did express some sympathy for the council's difficult position, noting they 'can't win' as they face criticism for both overspending and underspending. He did, however, spot a potential silver lining, quipping, 'It won't need as many lights this year, so they should save a bit on electricity.'
The council remains hopeful that the upcoming lights switch-on will transform the tree's appearance, urging residents not to judge the 'gappy' spruce until it is fully illuminated for the festive season.
