The spirit of Christmas spreads through sprouts around the world.
Cities around the world manage every year to turn the festive end-of-year spotlight on one of the holidays’ most revered symbols, the Christmas tree.
Despite the many crises besetting the world today, Christmas trees have appeared, seemingly earlier every year, as a tradition that withstands wars, climate change, viruses and other threats. Villages, towns and cities—including some in war-ravaged zones—succeed in showcasing immense, luminous and creative trees to spread the positive spirit of the holiday.
The origins of Christmas trees range from the use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome to the German tradition of candlelit trees that made its way to America in the 1800s.
Generally, the credit for the use of Christmas trees as we know it goes to Germany. In the 16th century, sources record devout Christians bringing decorated trees into their homes.
“It’s important to see just how our holiday traditions take on new forms when faced with big challenges like the pandemic, supply chain congestion and extreme weather events as we’ve seen over the recent years,” explains the American Christmas Tree Association, ACTA. But “Christmas trees are, and will continue to be, an integral part of the celebrations for households across the country.”
From the “Most Famous Tree in the World” (a disputed title) to “the tallest” and the “prettiest,” and from Paris to New York, Hong Kong, Manila and Lisbon, here are some of the world’s most striking trees bringing a special ambience to our troubled end of the year.
The Capitol Christmas tree is illuminated at the U.S. Capitol West Lawn in Washington, D.C.
One of the most famous Christmas Trees, inside the Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
A most creative tree: A large replica bookshelf in the shape of a Christmas tree in Saint Pancras ... [+]
Lauded as one of the most beautiful trees in Europe, in Krakow, Poland.
The Christmas tree at Puerta del Sol in Madrid's center.
The tree at Los Angeles Union Station.
One of the most famous Christmas trees in the world at Rockefeller Center, New York. Ralph Bavaro
The Christmas Tree at the famous UNESCO Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium.
Lisbon's Praça do Comercio Christmas tree, the largest in Portugal, during a laser show.
A 20-meter-tall Christmas tree at the West Kowloon Art Park in Hong Kong.
The world's largest tree: Made of more than 1000 individual red spruces from the Sauerland region in ... [+]
This year's Christmas Tree in Piazza Duomo, Milan, is 25 meters high and decorated with lights that ... [+]
Christmas tree at the Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines.
The immense tree in Union Square, San Francisco.
A Christmas Tree made of Parcel Presents. in Rust, Germany.
The trident, which is the main element of the minor Ukrainian coat of arms and the Ukrainian ... [+]
The White House East Room, where the theme of the holiday season is "Magic, Wonder and Joy," ... [+]
A blossoming Christmas tree in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
The 30-foot Dior Christmas tree in Toronto. The tree is adorned with more than 3,000 handmade ... [+]
The illuminated Christmas tree is reflected in puddles in Trafalgar Square, central London.
Dubbed the “World’s most famous Christmas tree,” this traditional gift from the people of Norway has been installed in Trafalgar Square, London, every year since 1947.
Norway sends the annual tree to Britain to thank it for its support during World War Two.
This year’s near-20-meter-high Norwegian spruce is around 70 years old and was chosen as the "queen of the forest" from woodlands around Oslo.
