Source: CCTV.com

12-13-2007 17:43

Christmas is approaching and around the world people are busy preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus. Let's head for Europe to get a peek. First to Denmark, where the eternal symbol of Christmas appears to be in short supply.

There's a shortage of Christmas trees in Denmark and Denmark is a key exporter of Christmas trees to the rest of Europe. It's a problem that's not going to go away soon either. Short supplies are expected to continue for three or four years.

The Danish Christmas Tree Growers' association says Europe will be short about three million trees this year. That'll push up retail prices between 15 and 20 percent for a two-meter Nordmann fir.

Denmark produced about 11.5 million Christmas trees this year, with about 10 million earmarked for export.

On to Germany, where people of the small town of Schlitz are proud of their "world's largest Christmas candle." Actually it's an historic tower of the local fort that's given a "red robe" each holiday season.

The town's "Hinterturm" tower has been wrapped in red cloth every year since 1991. Atop the tower burns a six meter electrical flame. So, the entire spectacle stands 42 meters and that makes it the world's largest Christmas candle.