<P> From Germany the custom was introduced to Britain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria . By 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain . By the 1870s, people in the United States had adopted the custom of putting up a Christmas tree . Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments . </P> <P> Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas . Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus . Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage . The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season . The outside of houses may be decorated with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures . </P> <P> Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels . Both the displaying of wreaths and candles in each window are a more traditional Christmas display . The concentric assortment of leaves, usually from an evergreen, make up Christmas wreaths and are designed to prepare Christians for the Advent season . Candles in each window are meant to demonstrate the fact that Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the ultimate light of the world . </P> <P> Christmas lights and banners may be hung along streets, music played from speakers, and Christmas trees placed in prominent places . It is common in many parts of the world for town squares and consumer shopping areas to sponsor and display decorations . Rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts . In some countries, Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of January 5 . </P>

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