'It looks like half a cucumber': Savage reactions to Trafalgar Square's Christmas tree
We’d like to take this opportunity to remind our readers the tree is actually a gift from our friends in Norway.
Trafalgar Square’s 2024 Christmas tree has been unveiled - but some Brits aren’t overly happy with it.
The tree is an annual gift from Norway and is decorated in the traditional Norwegian style.
Rather than being the classic plump Christmas tree that many Brits are familiar with, the tree is long and thin and covered with strings of pretty lights.
While many people admire the iconic tree and its unique appearance others have slammed it as ‘scrawny’ and ‘embarrassing’.
The tree was lit up by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on Saturday night (December 7th.)
He commented: “London’s iconic Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is now lighting up the heart of London. It’s a symbol of our friendship with Norway - a wonderful tradition bringing Londoners together to share this time of joy and unity.”
Savage reviews
Some patriots have said the Trafalgar Square tree pales in comparison to the Rockefeller Centre tree in New York.
Daily Mail columnist Andrew Neil shared a side-by-side photo of the two trees, commenting: “When it comes to Christmas trees London really needs to up its game.”
X user Jeremy Taylor bit back: “TOTALLY missing the point of Christmas. Trafalgar Square [tree] is an annual gift of thanks to the UK from Norway for helping in WW2. Rockefeller Centre tree is just billionaire bling.” Amen.
And Stephen Davies replied: “It’s the 77th tree we’ve received as a gift from the Norwegians as a token of gratitude for supporting them in WW2. It has more meaning than the Rockefeller tree.”
Chris Rose said: “I am once again embarrassed at the budget-style Christmas decorations on the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.”
While Peter Whittle wrote on X: “Small thing perhaps, but genuinely emblematic of our decline. A shoddy ‘national’ Christmas tree, decorated with no care or flair. Trafalgar Square used to be a magnet at this time of year. Best advice for visitors to make instead for Covent Garden and its unapologetic tree.”
X user, Unbeliever said: “That’s not a Christmas tree, that’s half a cucumber.”
We’re on #TeamTree
Thankfully, not everyone was so mean about the TS tree.
X user Jools wrote: “The Norway tree is special, it has meaning and that's more important. I've got decorations on my tree that are 60 years old, they're precious, not everything is about appearance.”
Helen Hampton commented: “You're all missing the point. This tree is a GIFT. It's around 60 years old and enormous and has to travel by boat to get to us. And the lights - this is the way they are traditionally hung in Norway. I
“t may not be as glamourous as having 50,000 coloured lights intertwined, but this tree is a symbol of friendship and gratitude which we should accept and cherish gracefully. Only the really churlish would criticise this. I conduct my choir underneath it every year and it is a wonderful spectacle.”
Dan Barker said: “I like the Trafalgar Square tree. A beautiful, old, genuine tree with the backdrop of St Martin’s is lovely. Wander to Duke of York’s Place if you want a more traditionally pretty one, or Covent Garden for the glamour, or Pickering Place for old-fashioned Christmas.”
The sentiment of the tree has been lost in all the hubbub about its appearance, the tree, which is A GIFT from Oslo is meant to represent the warm relationship between the UK and Norway.
So what if doesn’t look like your tree at home? We think it’s rather special.