Sunday, December 9, 2007

Christmas Trees

I haven't had the chance to see what Christmas trees and lightings we have downtown. I know, I'm rather behind on this activity this year.

Over here, Christmas decorations are nicest at the malls and hotels. They make great photo opportunities. That's why around this time of the year, you'll see more people visiting hotels with family in tow and camera in hand. In the meantime, here are some Christmas trees and lightings around the world to keep you occupied while I make my rounds. (These are borrowed from the MSN site.) Enjoy....


Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center. This snow-globe-worthy scene celebrates its 75th anniversary this season.



The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the “Pathway of Peace” represent the 50 U.S. states.



A token of gratitude for Britain’s aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.



Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer—Frankfurt's city hall since 1405—and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.



Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).



The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.



In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter’s Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.



Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.



"Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree…": Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.



The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.



Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.



Venice's Murano Island—renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork—is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.



Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague’s Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.



A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.



The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy’s Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the “tree” is a modern marvel for an ancient city.



Source: msn.com

8 comments:

  1. So many Christmas trees!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

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  2. All beautiful, but I like the one from Romer (being outside just makes it all the more x'massy) and the one in Paris (coz its just so big!)

    Nice find and thanks for bringing on the early happy x'mas feel.

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  3. Beautiful xmas decoration...

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  4. How sad that militant atheists in the U.S. have been campaigning like crazy (with surprising success) to have Christmas trees banned from public display...

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  5. Merry Christmas, LB!

    Furkids, you are welcome.

    KS, yes, they are beautiful, aren't they?

    MM, that is sad. What's the rationale?

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  6. hey hey hey greetings from northern ireland, we all love christmas time here, never mind the credit crunch just love the uplifting lights etccccc. ta

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  7. Hi Margaret, it's Christmas again. Merry Christmas!

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  8. Anonymous10:36 PM

    very nice!!!

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