Christmas tree

Christmas has come early this year with town and village festivals and Lights Switch-Ons, some decorated houses and trees in public places, taking place on November 25th.

The first documented Christmas trees were reputed to have been in Alsace around 1600, although the use of evergreen trees, wreaths and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the Ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews.

In Britain in 1800 the German wife of George 3rd introduced a Christmas tree at a party for her children. Queen Victoria continued this custom and the rest is history, or so they say.

Both my gyms have a beautifully decorated tree in their reception halls. A lovely welcome on a cold day.