Christmas lights

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Christmas lights

A woman and a child watch Christmas lights in Bucharest on November 25, 2010 in a commercial center. Organizers claim a new Guinness World record was set as 449,658 light bulbs were used.

People passing Germany's biggest christmas tree in the city center of Dortmund, western Germany, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010. The 45 meter high giant is made of 1700 norway spruces and illuminated by 48.000 lamps. Christmas markets have been a German tradition for about 600 years and are found in nearly every city in Germany during the Advent season.

BATH, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Christmas shoppers browse the offerings at the Bath Christmas Market on November 25, 2010 in Bath, England. Originating in Germany, Christmas markets have become increasingly popular in British cities too, as a way of boosting festive retail sales and visitor numbers.

A couple looks at Christmas lights decorations in a commercial center in Bucharest November 25, 2010. The decorations set a Guinness world record for indoor Christmas lights decoration with 449,658 light bulbs.

Visitors walk through the christmas market down the ferris wheel on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.

Visitors walk through the christmas market down the railway station on the on November 22 2010 in Metz, eastern France.

A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris ahead of the holiday season in the French capital November 26, 2010.

A giant Christmas tree stands in the middle of Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris, ahead of the holiday season in the French capital, November 26, 2010.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A giant Christmas pyramid spins at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors watch an ornate merry-go-round at the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Visitors stroll through the illuminated Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: A worker turns over sausages grilling at a stand at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

Christmas lights illuminate a central street, on the day Christmas lights were turned on, marking the start of the Christmas season, in Madrid November 26, 2010.

DRESDEN, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 26: Hand-made nutcrackers from the Ore Mountains stand for sale at the Dresdner Striezelmarkt Christmas market on November 26, 2010 in Dresden, Germany. The Striezelmarkt claims to be Germany's oldest Christmas market and dates back to 1434. Christmas markets have a long tradition in Germany and usually sell gluhwein, Christmas decorations and ornaments, sweets and sausages.

A man places illuminated house models at Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg November 26, 2010. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon.

Shoppers ride an escalator past a Christmas tree late Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 at the Chandler Mall in Chandler, Ariz.

This picture taken on November 26, 2010 shows Christmas lights in the center of Strasbourg, eastern France, on the eve of the opening of the traditional christmas market where more than two millions visitors are expected.

US First lady Michelle Obama (L) with daughters Malia (C) and Sasha (R) check out the White House Christmas tree after it was delivered by horse drawn carriage on November 26, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC.