Christmas News

No Christmas without Christmas trees.  A Christmas tree is one of the strongest symbols of Christmas all over the world.  We use a lot of money on Christmas trees and a lot of energy on cutting one down and dragging it home.  We ensure that even prisoners in jails get Christmas trees and we also send Christmas trees to soldiers at war so that they can get into the Christmas spirit. 

Even though Christmas trees are a fire hazard, and even though the many electric lights use a lot of energy, we will not go without the smell and sight of the beloved Christmas trees.  The Christmas tree has been a symbol in our daily lives for a long time.  Here is a list of some of the most interesting Christmas trees in the world:

1. The Capital Christmas Tree in Washington the is a Christmas symbol for the whole USA.  The annual ornaments are made by American school children and every one of the USA’s 50 states are represented.

2.  As thanks for help during the Second World War, Norway sends a Christmas tree to London every year.  The beautiful Christmas tree is set-up in Trafalgar Square.  This has been going on since 1947.

3. The Vatican sets up an enormous nativity scene in Peter’s Square each year, including a large decorative Christmas tree

4. Europe’s highest Christmas tree (more than 230 feet tall) can be found this year at Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal

5. The most interesting Christmas tree in the world is the little Christmas tree which is in each of our homes.  In the USA alone between 30 and 40 million Christmas trees will be produced.  Europe will produce between 50 and 60 million.

See pictures of some christmas trees around the world

At Christmas time, some homeowners are willing to spend whatever it takes on energy costs to have the best light display on the block.
But now everyone can get inspiration for a “greener christmas”.

A Seaside town is to become the UK’s first to run its Christmas lights by solar power. Above the top of the tree is a solar panel, which converts light into electricity, which is then stored in the battery. When darkness falls, the lights switch on automatically. A total of 88 of the 3ft artificial trees will be displayed on 44 lamp posts throughout the festive season, making it a green Christmas for residents.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is also going “greener” — with energy-saving lights replacing old-fashioned bulbs on the towering evergreen this year.

Using the energy-efficient LEDs to replace incandescent bulbs will reduce the display’s electricity consumption from 3,510 to 1,297 kilowatt hours per day. The daily savings is equal to the amount of electricity consumed by a typical 2,000-square-foot house in a month.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he hoped the change to the midtown Manhattan display will inspire the tens of millions of New Yorkers and tourists who see the tree every year.

“Now they will see an example of green leadership which may inspire them to make greener choices in their own lives,” Bloomberg said last week.