17 h. ago Real reason behind tradition of putting up a Christmas tree every festive season

While many of us enjoy decorating our Christmas trees at this time of year, do you know how this tradition began?

Politics

17 h. ago Met Office maps reveal exact time wind gusts set to exceed 60mph as yellow weather warnings issued

Several yellow weather warnings are in force over the next few days

Events

17 h. ago Met Office maps reveal exact time huge band of rain set to hit UK as weather alerts issued

Greater Manchester is set to be affected by heavy rain in the coming days

Events

19 h. ago Christmas tree in historic Welsh town damaged for third time

The Christmas tree has been damaged by a climber and now needs repairing with CCTV being reviewed

Events

21 h. ago Is YOUR Christmas tree verging on gaudy? Interactive tool reveals the exact number of baubles and lights you need to ensure your fir doesn't look cheap

Mathematicians from Sheffield University have created a 'treegonometry' formula that works out the exact number of decorations you need to keep your Christmas tree looking classy.

Politics

22 h. ago Goodbye angels, hello Ozempic needles – what’s behind the boom in bizarre Christmas baubles?

This year’s most-wanted ornaments include weight-loss syringes and favourite foodstuffs. When and why did Christmas trees become so commercialised?it was the second Tuesday in November but Christmas was already in crisis. Sarah Gibbons had just received a shipment of baubles at her Glasgow homeware shop, Modern Love Store, and some crucial ornaments were missing. She hopped on a long-distance phone call to her suppliers in the US – she needed to sort this out. After all, her customers were clamouring for them. “People aren’t just buying one,” the 39-year-old shopkeeper told me after discovering the missing decorations, “they’re buying three or four at a time.” Three what? Turtle doves? Nutcrackers? Or perhaps some classic candy canes? Of course not. This year’s must-have bauble is in the shape of a lightly glittered syringe of Ozempic.Growing up, my favourite Christmas ornament was a little pink plastic baby Jesus resting in a manger. He was bought by my great-aunt in Oberammergau, ...

Politics

23 h. ago Are YOU ready for Christmas dinner? Food expert reveals the exact date you should buy every single item

An expert has created a handy guide that explains when each component of Christmas dinner should be bought.

Politics

26 h. ago Voices: ‘The tackier the better’: Readers divided on when the Christmas tree should go up

Our community is united in one thing: whether you’re an early decorator, a tradition-keeper or a lover of chaotic tinsel, Christmas trees are ultimately about joy, memories and doing the season your own way

Politics

33 h. ago Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree: A Living Symbol of London

Trafalgar Square’s Christmas Tree: A Living Symbol of London-Oslo Friendship  Azat TV

Politics

37 h. ago Bethlehem lights up Christmas tree for first time since 2022

The Palestinian city is revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus

Politics

42 h. ago Cat owners urged to watch out for signs amid 'toxic' Christmas tree warning

An animal charity has issued an urgent warning in order to keep our feline friends safe this festive season.

Events

47 h. ago Major supermarket giving away free Christmas trees today – but you’ll need to be quick

A MAJOR supermarket chain is giving away hundreds of Christmas trees for free today. A real Christmas tree will usually set you back at least £30, so rushing to your local supermarket today could save you serious cash. Tesco is giving away the trees at ten stores across the UK from 10am onwards. But there’s...

Politics

48 h. ago Expert shares 8 'genius' ways to keep cats away from Christmas tree this year

Cat behavioural specialist Shani shares eight expert tips to stop your feline friend from climbing the Christmas tree this year, including using tinfoil and bells

Politics

49 h. ago Expert's 8 'genius' tips to keep cats away from Christmas tree including £1 fix

Christmas trees provide a high vantage point for cats to look over their territory while also giving them shiny and moving decorations that replicate prey at home

Economics

66 h. ago Trump appears to reference his notes as he counts down from five to one: Watch

Donald Trump appeared to reference his notes as he counted down from five to one at the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Thursday evening (4 December).

Politics

68 h. ago 'I spotted Christmas wish on Angel Tree and wasn't ready for what it said'

A woman was shopping with her son when they decided to have a look at the Angel Tree wishes - but she was taken aback when she saw one elderly woman's request

Politics

69 h. ago Clever Christmas tree hack adds 'eight inches' to height and makes tree fuller

There are several ways you can increase the height and fullness of your Christmas tree without forking out on a new one

Politics

2 d. ago What small 'clumps' on your Christmas tree could be and why you should remove them now

The warning has been shared on social media - and people are horrified.

Politics

3 d. ago Laura Cannell: Brightly Shone the Moon review | Jude Rogers' folk album of the month

(Brawl)The violinist sets out on her darkest exploration of yuletide yet, giving a murky and melancholy twist on familiar Christmas standardsTraditional music finds its popular, cosy home in the carol, despite the uncanniness that surrounds the nativity story, and the fraying thread back to the past that each winter brings. A veteran explorer of the season (in 2020’s sparkling Winter Rituals EP with cellist Kate Ellis, and 2022’s starker New Christmas Rituals, with amplified fiddle-playing from André Bosman), Laura Cannell sets out on her best and darkest journey yet here, exploring the time of year when, as she writes on the liner notes, “joy and heartache try to exist together”.Named after the line in Good King Wenceslas before the cruel frosts arrive, Brightly Shone the Moon begins at the organ – a nod to Cannell’s childhood Christmases in the Methodist chapels and churches of Norfolk. Cannell’s fiddle then quivers around the 16th-century folk melody of O Christmas Tree/O Tannenb...

Politics

3 d. ago The Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree lights have been switched on – and the reaction is mixed

Norway has gifted the Trafalgar Square tree to the UK every year since 1947

Politics