$545 Christmas tree Cost .. shock to the Lebanese

In light of the economic crisis that hits the whole world due to the war in Europe, Christmas celebrations did not go well, or as they were during previous years.

The Lebanese are getting ready to welcome the holidays, but their joy is only as deep as their pockets.

Christmas lights

A state of contradiction in the streets of Beirut Some commercial streets in Beirut and major coastal cities such as Jounieh, Jbeil and Batroun were decorated with Christmas lights, powered either by solar panels or private electricity generators, in an attempt to lighten up the holidays in cities that had plunged into darkness months ago. What happens in shopping centers reveals the different material differences between citizens Malls are packed with shoppers, between whom the social differences are clearly visible. One toy store owner: “Some shoppers buy expensive toys without even asking about the price first, while others go around the shop comparing prices and settle for the cheapest ones.”

Circumstances are difficult

The differences are even starker in clothing shops, Purchases are very limited in luxury stores, while the cheaper outlet stores, which have become more popular in recent years, are filled with

However, supermarkets and grocery stores attract the most shoppers, who face the struggle of choosing between high-priced items and local, cheaper ones of lower quality.

Temporary Christmas markets were held in public squares to create an atmosphere of joy, especially for children. One visitor say that : “Such activities really make us feel the holiday spirit. It’s nice to see so many people out. The circumstances are difficult but we are trying to overcome them.”

A Christmas Tree Costs 

Claudine, a bank employee, say that: “Everyone is preparing to celebrate the holidays in their own way. I did not decorate my Christmas tree this year. Decorations are too expensive. A Christmas tree costs 4,000,000 LBP to 15,000,000 LBP; that’s more than my salary, A pack of six ornaments is at least 500,000 LBP.” The owner of a decoration shop in Furn El-Chebbak said: “The cost of Christmas tree decorations has reached 25,000,000 LBP ($545 based on the black-market rate of 45,800 LBP/USD). “It all depends on the person’s salary and purchasing power. For instance, private-sector employees now receive parts of their salaries in dollars, which allows them to spend more than others.” May, a mother of two and a teacher, say that: “The priority this year is for the Christmas Eve dinner. People want to be happy, regardless of the circumstances, and the dinner table, be it simple or luxurious, brings the whole family together.”

Avoided Exchanging Expensive Gifts

Christmas dishes cost millions of Lebanese pounds. The cost of a holiday turkey is no less than $150 (6,870,000 LBP) and the price of 250g of cheese is no less than 300,000 LBP, while the Buche de Noel cake is at least 900,000 LBP.

Faced with these prices, families have avoided exchanging expensive gifts such as new cell phones and gold jewelry.