observations on the toes of linoleum

the tree i currently have up (has been since christmas 2007) was bought at target in november 2007. it has 2,000+ tips and 600 lights. the price printed on the label was $179.95 (but i remember getting a discount of some sort). this year, whether economically influenced or just the thoughts or misconceptions of economic “crisis/downturn,” the christmas aisles at target (and other stores) have come swiftly into place. there seems to be more of a holiday presence with the in-store hanging décor (globe ornament-esque shapes made out of heavy cardboard strips that attach at top and bottom “poles” to create the globe shape) and the themes seem to be more nostalgic this year than before. i noticed that the new “skin” of the packaging is the same flat-and-gloss striped type that has been used for years now at target. this year it is a red colour with no other colours used except for the gloss stripes (in past years some of the stripes were actual different colours and not just light-affecting varnishes). the only items i could see that were “recycled” from last year were the tree stars. they were in the black striped theme of last year and the backs still said “2008.” target is very consistent with updating year dates on their merchandise or packaging.
the artificial trees this year are not as advanced as may have been if the economic momentum had not been interrupted (though there is a slight shift to the slender tree). one of the trees this year is almost exactly the same as the one i bought in 2007. it is called something different but it is still a blue spruce variety and it looks exactly the same except for a few differences. it is 7.5’ and has attached pine cones similar in type to the ones attached to my current tree (versus a different variety of cone). it has the same angled four-legged stand and it is a hinged pre-lit variety. but the main difference is that this tree is $229 and only has 1,775 tips with 500 lights compared to $179 with over 2,000 tips and 600 lights.

it is interesting to see trends, inflation, profit gouging greed or innovation, cultural changes, attitude changes. this is observed and identified in the individuals- the consumers as well as the retail stores and manufacturers. the “climates” of human social structures are a very rich and dynamic source of existential indication.