Festive Firs
LONDON
Claridge’s X Burberry
Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair is synonymous with spectacular Christmas tree designs, drawing visitors from around the globe yearly. For this highly anticipated iteration, Claridge’s partnered with Burberry Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee to create a 16-foot tree that is unapologetically British. The design is rich with national symbolism: It is dressed with wild foliage and thistles (Scotland’s national flower) and features bows — a Victorian symbol of unity — crafted from Burberry fabrics. Crowned with a gold coronet, the tree is complemented by brass bells inspired by Burberry’s Equestrian Knight design, hand-blown glass baubles, and floor-standing chess pieces and cushions, which together create a playful, festive scene.
PARIS
Galeries Lafayette
Christmas has arrived in Paris the moment the windows of department store Galeries Lafayette on Boulevard Haussmann light up. This year, the holiday spectacle features a unique 16-foot tree designed by Parisian visual artist Jeanne Detallante. Displayed under the renowned Art Nouveau dome, the tree is brought to life with Detallante’s original illustrations and vast ornamentation, including over 500 kg of ribbons, 300 kg of fabric, and eight kilometres of LED garlands.
BUDAPEST
Advent Basilica Christmas Market
The Advent Basilica Christmas Market, nestled in the heart of St Stephen’s Square in Budapest, stands as Hungary’s premier festive attraction. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the market has been voted Best Christmas Market in Europe four times (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024). Running from November 14 through January 1, 2026, its crowning jewel is a massive Christmas tree wrapped in a shimmering net of lights, set against the majestic backdrop of St Stephen’s Basilica — one of Hungary’s largest and most iconic churches.
Photos: Instagram/@claridgeshotel,
& @galerieslafayette,
https://adventbazilika.hu
This year, Jeanne Detallante reinvents the Christmas spirit in windows more flamboyant than ever. Like pieces from a magical workshop, the Galeries Lafayette windows are filled with enchanting characters preparing the store for the big day.