Before electric string lights were created, Christmas trees were lit by candles placed in the branches of the tree, a process still used by some to decorate their tree. But the dripping wax then fell too often on the floor of the house, along with needles, so a skirt was added below the tree. Traditions for setting up the tree vary from place to place. In many countries, setting up the tree previous to the first day of winter — Dec.
22 for 2007 — is considered bad luck, while in others, like Australia, the tree is put up as early as Dec. 1, the normal start date for the school holiday season. Artificial trees have become very popular in recent years as a solution to deforestation, fire danger and allergies. Even with pre-lit artificial trees, traditions for decoration vary from family to family. Got a question for the “Q?” E-mail us and you may see your question answered on-air or in next week’s “Q” online.
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