Trafalgar Square Christmas tree embarrassment

[Linenpickle]

Thanks to Norway for the lovely Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square but seriously, whoever decorated it needs to think again as it’s abysmal. Very little effort and I give it 0 out of 10 for decoration.

As an elderly Londoner who walked within yards of the tree twice a day, I can categorically say the tree was lit very differently years ago. We are not talking baubles and Disney crap, just random lights, not vertical. It looks very different now, so this is a rather recent 'tradition' that is obviously easier to construct.

It is the Norwegian tradition to hang christmas tree lights vertically

The vertical lights certainly were in the use in the early 1980s. Maybe earlier - I cant be bothered to check.
Regardless its a style replicating the Norwegian style.

This went well 🥴

They definitely upset the apple cart 😂😂😂

This. Every. Fcking. Year. Do some research. Read a book. There's symbolism attached to the Trafalgar tree's appearance and it happens to have meaning that's a lot deeper than your scope of knowledge. If you want glitz, go to Covent Garden. 🙄

What happened to make the symbolism of the lights important now though, when it wasn't important in the 40s,50s,60 and 70,s?

How do you know it wasn't important then? Also, it probably wasn't subject to as much scrutiny in the days prior to social media.

It’s a beautiful tree, a real tree from a forest, which is why it has grown tall and slender. It hasn’t been grown on a Christmas tree farm. I love its simplicity and its humble style. I love all sorts of Christmas trees, but the point is, you can see all the other sorts elsewhere in London. This one is beautiful in being a bit different.
It seems a shame some people feel so strongly against it, and I would be sad if they change it to fit ‘ public opinion’.

I was born in the 40's, I worked overlooking the tree in the 60's, the lights were not arranged in the Norwegian vertical manner. I'm not saying it's wrong now, I'm just saying there was no important symbolism at that time. The tree was loved, we knew what it stood for.

I've been to Norway just before Christmas. Our Airbnb was in a non-touristy town. We walked through the residential streets looking at all the decorations and lights on people's houses. They were all simple and elegant with warm white static lights. Coupled with the wooden houses, it looked so pretty and fairy tale like.

It's a stark contrast from all the things we have here like multicolour lights, flashing lights, inflatables, projectors and so on.

I know! Poor op! It's not actually the most erudite or deeply conceptual piece of knowledge.

I actually really like it, and love the tradition behind it, but I still always think it reminds me of a giant cucumber.

By a wild coincidence YouTube thought I wanted to see this short

https://youtube.com/shorts/wnzvJXFcZq4?si=3kAXIIP79yOdU2gp

I immediately thought of this thread.

Or possibly one very like it.

This YouTube video puts it best!

https://youtube.com/shorts/tA9fwO2jvQo?si=jmqMDFuxVJ4oW6mc

The OP should be embarrassed about their post. So rude and insulting to Norway.

As a child I was taken to see this tree every year and certainly it was not decorated like this, there was a professional photographe near the tree and I remember the pictures.

I think it looks beautiful now though and I'm sick of people using it as another stick to beat Khan.

Ohhh. The OP's name does ring a bell, now you say this.

Dear me.

I think the same. It’s lovely. Not everything needs a pile of cheap tinsel on it.

She had no idea.

I'm not sure why people are giving her such a hard time about that. It's not like knowing the background of the Trafalgar Square tree is key information for success in life.

Yeah, I happened to know, I think it's a lovely tradition, but it's hardly a piece of information that is strutting your stuff intellectually.

The OP must be too embarrassed to come back.

I am Norwegian and honestly you guys should consider it a lovely antidote to all your tacky inflatables and flashing blue lights everywhere I go in December.

What on earth is wrong with lighting it like that? It is elegant and beautiful. Even without any knowledge of the tradition. I knew why Norway give us the tree, but didn’t know that the decoration is traditional Norwegian style. I just thought it was classy British understatement that suited the location perfectly.

Not everything about Christmas has to be Hollywood Victoriana.

Saw it today...and said exact same thing. Poor, embarressing.

Sucks to be you then

But not as embarrassing as not being able to spell embarrassing ;)

We get it - some people like a tacky Christmas tree. But if that's what you want, go to Covent Garden. For a tasteful tree with a lot of history and symbolism, admire the gift from the Norwegians. If you are at the tacky not tasteful end of Christmas at least acknowledge the gesture that is behind the tree, and what it means :)