Christmas decoration bells. A bow is usually used at the top or bottom, and an electric or unlit candle may be placed in the middle. Christmas lights are often used, and they may be hung from door or windows, and sometimes walls, lampposts and light fixtures, or even statuary. Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. In North and South America, Australia, and Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners
Christmas in Mexico as personal incomes rise and tree prices fall, with artificial trees easily available in places like Wal-Mart, Costco and Mexican chain stores. Live trees are also common and Christmas tree production in Mexico is now a large industry. For poorer families that cannot afford live trees, alternatives are small artificial trees, or even branches from local trees or shrubs. In 2009, Mexico hosted the world’s largest Christmas tree according to Guinness at 110.35 meters (approximately 362 feet) high and weighing 330 tons on Glorieta de la Palma on Paseo de la Reforma . Santa Claus, still in his traditional red