Christmas According to the Trees

The Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the holiday decorations, the one place where a jolly old man, his reindeer, penguins, owls and angels mesh in an explosion of festivity among coloured lights and baubles. As people around the world rev up for the 25th, current international stories also show how these festive evergreens are bringing out the best of the season.

JOY – The Dancing Trees of MBS

SINGAPORE – If you think all Christmas trees stand still, you might be surprised when approached by these walking trees at Marina Bay Sands. Together with a giant gingerbread man and two Christmas bells, they surprise shoppers by jumping and dancing.

Each tree performer wears a 6.5kg costume of cloth, sequins and tinsel like a backpack, and moseys around the walkways with all the creepy charm of Cousin It from the Addams Family – and all fir a good cause.

COMMUNITY – The Tweeting Tree of Scotland

SCOTLAND – Nevermind that Storm Barbara is on its way, the city of Glasgow is still going to have its bit of fun.

A Xmas tree that was put behind wire fencing for safety reasons and to protect its lights has gained its own parody account on Twitter after residents started decorating its “cage” with holiday tinsel and baubles. It now ‘tweets’ about its experiences of being behind bars, and has attracted more than 900 followers with sweet wistful messages like:

 

 

The hashtag #FreeTheTree also picked up steam, and even the First Minister of Scotland chimed in.

How’s that for fun community spirit?

REMEMBRANCE – Christmas Tree of Departed Angels

ENGLAND – In a year marred by celebrity deaths, a woman in York has set up a Christmas tree to celebrate the most famous stars who passed away in 2016, by attaching face cutouts onto homemade paper angels.

Among the angels on her tree you’ll find late greats like David Bowie, Prince, Kenny Baker (who played R2D2) and Alan Rickman.

There are even non-human additions, like an EU angel and one for Harambe (by popular demand).

The tree’s owner has chosen to make good use of its popularity by setting up a donation page for a cancer support group in the spirit of the season.

HARMONY – THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE

SRI LANKA – An artificial tree is climbing to the heavens on a Colombo promenade thanks to Muslim, Hindu and Muslim workers.

The tree is meant to promote national unity in a country that has seen racial and religious strife.

Set to be the highest artificial Christmas tree in the world when finished (a whopping 98m tall), workers are still rushing to complete assembly of the steel and wire frame by Christmas time. When it is it should tower more than 40m above the current record holder.

PEACE – Baghdad Christmas Tree 

IRAQ – In light of the persecution of Iraqi Christians by ISIS, a Muslim businessman Yassir Saad decided to set up an enormous Christmas tree in Baghdad’s al-Zawra park – the tallest one in the city. The project cost about S$34,000 and was built with the aim of “joining our Christian brothers in their holiday celebrations and helping Iraqis forget their anguish” of the fight with ISIS.

The generous gesture stands an impressive 26m high above a 10m wide base, a gift that deserves to be seen.

What’s a Christmas tree? More than a mall display certainly: a costume, a chance for fun, or even a symbol of national unity and peace.

 

By Vincent Tan

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