Whether you are a Christmas Grinch or already irritating your co-workers with your festive cheer, there can be no avoiding the advent of the holiday season. The tree at Claridge’s hotel in London has brought joy and wonderment to hundreds for decades, with its grand unveiling each year epitomising the start of the Christmas season for many. For the past four years the tree has been decorated by a top designer and this year Claridge’s has announced that fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana will be overseeing the design. A sketch of Dolce and Gabbana's design for the landmark Claridge's Christmas tree shows the Italian spirit the pair hoped to infuse into traditional Christmas designs
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Tree in the lobby of famous hotel has become a huge tourist attraction
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Previously designed by Lanvin, John Galliano and McQueens
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This year Dolce and Gabanno will bring Italian influence to the tree
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Will feature hand crafted Sicilian puppets and Italian festive glass baubles
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Tree will stand 6.8m tall and be flown from Italy in pieces
In 2011 the tree was decorated by Lanvin and featured a family of puppets in a @placeholder scenee