Legend has it that the tradition of illuminating the Christmas tree with fairy lights began in northern Germany at the home of the Protestant leader, Martin Luther (1483 – 1546). Walking through the forest of an evening, Luther was so struck by the beauty of the stars shining though the fir trees that he cut the top off one, took it home, and decorated the ends of the branches with small candles to replicate the effect for his family. Although the tradition of lighting a Christmas tree in the home began in the first half of the 16th century it did not reach England until a much later date – until the Victorian era in fact! Together with the very first Christmas Trees, fairy lights came to Britain at some point in the 1830s. In 1841 their popularity soared when Prince Albert sought to bring some of his German background to England, setting up a large Christmas tree at Windsor Castle. Their place in the British Christmas was further cemented when a drawing of “The Queen’s Christmas tree at Windsor Castle” was published in the Illustrated London News in 1848.

Match the pictures of Christmas lights to discover which city they’re from.