The Most Popular Christmas Trees Around London

Christmas is celebrated all around the world. The festivity comes to life with all the decorations and lights. The falling snow dusts everything in magical final touches, whether it’s real or artificial. The mistletoe and holly, the reindeer and sleigh, the presents and Santa Claus are all important parts of Christmas. But the Christmas tree is the most important ingredient for a perfect Christmas.

But how did the Christmas tree become so important?

Long before Christianity, the Christmas tree was used to decorate homes in celebration of the winter solstice. The plants that remained green during the winter had a special meaning to people back in the day. People worldwide believe evergreen trees can protect against evil spirits, ghosts, witches, and illnesses. December 21st or 22nd was the day with the shortest daylight and the longest nighttime for those in the northern hemisphere. This event is known as the Winter Solstice.

Long ago, people believed that when winter came every year, the sun god grew weak and sick. They celebrated the winter solstice because they saw it as the day the sun god would become well again, the trees would grow, and summer would return. They would use evergreen boughs to remind them of that.

The Christmas tree tradition evolved in Germany in the 16th century. A Protestant reformer named Martin Luther, one evening, saw the brilliant stars twinkling amongst the evergreens on his way home after preparing a sermon. To recapture this scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room of their home and added lighted candles to its branches.

Londoners Christmas trees

In 1846, Queen Victoria and her German Prince appeared in the London News, standing around the Christmas tree with their children. The Queen was very popular among her subjects, and everything done in the court immediately became fashionable. These trends became popular not only among the British but also in East Coast American Society.

Spruce Christmas tree

Christmas trees in London are traditionally Norway spruce trees. It was a popular species in the British Isles but before the last Ice Age. In the 1500s, the Norway spruce species was reintroduced to the land. It is the traditional Christmas tree in London. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a 50 to 60-year-old Norway Spruce. It usually stands at a height of 20 meters and is cut in November.

There is a whole ceremony where the Mayor of Oslo, the Lord Mayor of Westminster and the British Ambassador to Norway grace the occasion. After the tree is cut, it is shipped off to Britain via sea. The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree was originally a gift from Oslo to the people of Britain. It was a token of gratitude for the support given to Norway during World War II. The tradition started in 1947 and continues to date with carol singing programs organised by voluntary or charitable organisations.

Traditional German Christmas tree

The traditional German Christmas tree, as we’ve seen, was a practice started by Martin Luther. That night, he wanted to show his wife the beauty he saw. In order to bring home the fir tree, he cut it down. With lighted candles on its branches, it symbolised the beautiful Christmas sky. And this is how the Christmas tree came into being. However, others say people created the paradise tree by decorating a Fir tree with apples to perform the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden.

At the same time, the Christmas Light was also a tradition. A pyramid-shaped frame was covered with tinsel, glass balls and candles at the top. It symbolised the birth of Christ, the Light of the World. The Fir tree’s apples were replaced with tinsels, cookies, glass balls and a bright light at the top of the tree. This custom spread throughout the country and then to the rest of Europe. Today, the Fir Christmas tree is a popular Londoners Christmas tree that you can find in most homes.

Victorian Christmas tree

The Victorian Christmas tree came into existence along with the influence of the traditional German Christmas tree. It all started with a picture in a newspaper of the then-Queen Victoria, her husband, the German Prince, and their children in 1841. The German Prince wanted to share with his children the traditional Christmas he celebrated when he was young. The beautifully decorated and well-illuminated Christmas tree was seen as a fashion statement because the people of England adored the Queen and saw her as a sort of trendsetter. So soon, everyone started to celebrate Christmas with a Christmas tree in their homes. It became a Victorian Christmas tradition to celebrate Christmas with a large tree decorated with paper chains, fancy cakes attached by ribbons and lighted candles. Today, people use electrical lights instead of candles and plastic tinsel and ornaments to decorate the trees.

Upside-down Christmas trees

Some relate the upside-down Christmas trees to an English Benedictine monk named Boniface. He travelled to Germany in order to preach the Gospel. According to legends, he would use the triangle shape of fir trees to teach people of the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those converted would refer to the Fir tree as God’s tree. In the 12th century, during Christmas time, the people of Central Europe would hang the tree upside down from their ceiling to symbolise Christianity. Recently, the upside-down Christmas tree was a work of art at Victoria Beckham’s Dover Street flagship on its first Christmas. The tree was suspended from the ceiling above the store’s mesmerising staircase. The tree was left beautifully bare, with only its wood highlighted.

Cardboard Christmas tree

There is nothing like upcycling, and this is evident when you see the cardboard Christmas tree. This tree has been created from 3600 individual cardboard pieces. The spectacular creation can be seen at the Design Museum in London. It is an attractive piece of art from recycled materials. It has all the right elements as an innovative artistic creation.

These are some of the most popular Christmas trees around London that you should see at least once in your lifetime to appreciate the beauty of the trees and the spirit of Christmas.

Conclusion

In London, the festive season comes alive with diverse Christmas trees. The iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, a symbol of gratitude from Oslo, stands tall among Norway spruce favourites. Rooted in ancient traditions, the German Fir and Victorian Christmas trees add historical charm. Unique twists like upside-down trees and innovative cardboard creations reflect evolving traditions. From traditional to avant-garde, London’s Christmas trees tell captivating stories, making them essential stops during the holiday season, encapsulating the city’s rich history and ever-changing festive spirit.