Let’s keep Christmas affordable — Mr. President, pause seasonal tariffs

President Donald Trump has made it very clear: Americans can be excited about Christmas again.

His policies are feverishly working to fight inflation, which has been a stubborn problem to address, skyrocketing under former President Joe Biden’s stewardship.

He’s making the world safer. Look no further than the ceasefire he has managed to pull off in Gaza and help work towards peace for the Jewish and Palestinian people. He has also sought to end persistent fighting across Africa and Asia.

And here at home, he is seeking common sense deals that make America greater and stronger. Lowering prescription drug costs, bringing investment back into the United States, and fighting to rebalance trade deals that have long put American companies at a disadvantage.

As Americans pull boxes from the attic, string lights, and plan to give their kids a Christmas they’ll remember, they can look forward to a merry Christmas season.

There’s one issue to consider, however, and that is higher prices on seasonal décor, many tied to tariffs, which have the potential of turning a joyful season into a budgeting headache.

According to a recent nationwide survey, 84% of Americans say decorations have gotten more expensive and 63% worry that China’s failure to engage at the negotiation table fully will push costs even higher. When you’re stretching a paycheck between heating bills and a tree for the kids, an extra 10 or 20 dollars to deck the halls isn’t minor. It’s the difference between doing Christmas right and doing without.

There’s a conservative, common‑sense fix: targeted tariff relief on Christmas décor. We can keep pressure on bad actors abroad while easing pressure at home: around the kitchen table, under the tree, and at the checkout line. A timely holiday exemption would honor both our economic interests and our family priorities.

Trump understands this balance. During his last presidency, he delayed certain tariffs ahead of the holidays so American families wouldn’t feel the squeeze at Christmastime. That was smart, pro‑family leadership and it worked. We need him to save Christmas again this year and institute tariff relief on seasonal décor.

Some will worry about “mixed signals” or “policy complexity.” But there’s a clear difference between a narrow holiday exemption and a broader retreat. We can do both: defend American workers, push back on unfair practices abroad, and still give families a little breathing room during the season of giving. Christmas is the right moment to show that balance.

Let’s not make the most cherished season of the year more costly. Christmas should be about family, redemption, and generosity, not sticker shock. As the survey mentioned earlier reminds us, Americans treasure classics like “A Christmas Story,” “Home Alone,” “Elf,” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”… stories of resilience, joy, and community. Those values are worth protecting and highlighting this time of year.

I am confident that Trump agrees. We saw him save Christmas in 2019. Rolling back the tariffs on Christmas décor with a targeted holiday can save Christmas by making it more affordable. Turn the lights on, not the prices up.

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Debbie Dooley is a prominent Georgia-based conservative activist and one of the founders of the Tea Party movement.