Today's Date:

The fir tree was first presented as the holy tree of Christmas in the French city of Strasbourg in 1605. It was «decorated with artificial colored roses, apples, sugar and painted hosts,» and symbolized the tree in the garden of Eden.

In France, shop windows of big department stores, principally in Paris, compete with one another in fabulous displays of animated figures; a day spent visiting and comparing the exhibits is practically a must for parents.

Family celebrations begin with the decoration of the Christmas tree a few days before Christmas; candles and lights, tinsel and many colored stars are attached to it. On Christmas Eve when the children are asleep, little toys, candies and fruits are hung on the branches of the tree as a supplement to the gifts « Santa Claus» has left in the shoes before the fireplace.

The Last Christmas Tree : an original Christmas tale to be read aloud to kids from dads.com. in English and in French