A Christmas tree for everyone

And practically everyone puts their tree near a window so that passers-by can enjoy the sight of the lights twinkling in the darkness.

But it's not only inside houses that you see Christmas trees at this time of year. In shops, offices, restaurants and public spaces, you'll also see real fir trees, as well as fake ones on display.

One of the most famous Christmas trees in London is in Trafalgar Square and this year marks the 57th time Norway has given a tree to Britain.

The tree is an annual gift from the people of Norway as a token of gratitude for Britain's support during the Second World War.

Each year a tree is selected by the head forester from the 17,500 hectares of Oslo's municipal forests. It's then carefully cut down and transported to the Oslo docks and then shipped to Felixstowe. Once it's in London the tree is crane–lifted into Trafalgar Square.

The tree is shrouded in a traditional Norwegian mantle of 500 white lights which were turned on at a special lighting ceremony by London's mayor, Ken Livingstone. There was music too - choirs performed traditional Norwegian music, pop songs and carols.

Mr Livingstone said "The carol concerts and the Norwegian Christmas tree bring some truly festive spirit to the Square for Londoners as well as visitors."

So for almost everyone in London now, Christmas is well and truly here and will stay here until the 6th January 2007. Until then, the 75-foot tree will be in the Square, shining brightly every day from noon to midnight for all to see and enjoy.

GLOSSARY 词汇表

decorate
装饰
ornaments
饰物
twinkling
闪烁
real fir trees
真的冷杉树
marks
纪念
selected by
由…挑选
hectares
公顷
shrouded
覆盖
choirs
唱诗班
festive spirit
节日气氛
 tinsel
(装饰圣诞树的)金箔装饰
passers-by
过路人
public spaces
公共场所
fake
假的
a token of gratitude
藉表谢意
head forester
林业专家
crane-lifted
用起重机吊起的
mantle
罩衣, 一层覆盖
carols
颂歌
from noon to midnight
从正午到午夜