It seems the humble Christmas tree is now a symbol of prosperity and this year
the race is on for the title of "The most expensive tree in the world."

The town of Milan, Italy was the first to claim the prize with the unveiling of
a 450,000 USD tree in the Piazzo Duomo.

The spectacular tree was donated by Tiffany & Co. and has over one hundred
thousand white lights and decorations all specially created by the renowned
American jeweller.

The Italian church questioned Tiffany’s generosity when the well-known store
opened a shop beneath the tree to sell its jewellery over the festive season -
but in true Christmas spirit, and to keep the church happy, Tiffany will donate
9% of all sales to a local charity.

http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com/tiffany-albero.asp

The Milan tree held the title of "The most expensive tree in the world" for
only a few days until it lost out to another jewellery store - this time in
Japan...

When this stunning 24-carat gold tree went on display at the Ginza Tanaka store
in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.

http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com/gold-christmas-tree.asp

The tree weighs 21 kilograms and is decorated with over 240 jewels, including
diamond baubles and strings of pearls. It has a price tag of 150,000,000 Yen
(around 1,800,000 USD)

The store official felt the cost was justified despite the current economic
situation, saying, "Economic sentiment is sluggish. But, at least in this
store, we want people to feel a gorgeous atmosphere."

Yet, within just a few days, the 24-carat tree was surpassed by an even
flashier number...

This year the titleholders of the "The most expensive tree in the world", are
the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The thirteen-metre high tree, which sits in the hotel’s lobby, has been valued
at over 11,000,000 USD - making the Tiffany and Ginza Tanaka trees look like
poor relations.

In fact, the tree’s branches are adorned with watches, necklaces and bracelets,
which between them contain 181 diamonds, sapphires, pearls and emeralds.

http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com/most-expensive-tree.asp

The Emirates Palace has asked the Guinness Book of Records to certify the tree
as the worlds’ most expensive and a twenty-four hour surveillance team is in
place to protect the precious decorations.

The Abu Dhabi tree is officially "The most expensive tree in the world".

But sadly, there is also a prize for the worst tree, or the "Charlie Brown
Christmas Tree", as it is has become known in America.

This year that prize went to the Castle Dene Shopping Centre, Peterlee in the
UK.

This tree will not require a twenty-four hour security team, as it has just
twelve coloured lights and no decorations.

Yet, the town’s shopping centre hired one of the nation’s pop sensations,
Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton, to switch on the lights in a lavish
ceremony.

Since the tree went up the council have been inundated with complaints - locals
had expected to see some Christmas cheer, rather than this forlorn spectacle.

http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Tree.asp

Embarrassed, local councillor Joan Maslin, said "I would describe this tree as
just like a twig. To be honest, it looks like something that people would throw
in a skip after Christmas."

I actually think it has a “certain charm” and at least it’s real, not some over
the top artificial show piece, which has unfortunately now become the symbol of
Christmas.

I’d like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy and
prosperous New Year.

Rebecca Smith

http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com
http://blog.oceanvillasgoup.com