Christmas tree sales surge in Multan

The sale of decorative Christmas Trees has increased manifold in the city ahead of Christmas Day to be celebrated on December 25 (Friday).

A shopkeeper named Hassan told APP that a good number of citizens from Christian community were visiting different decoration shops to purchase evergreen decorative Christmas trees.

The shopkeeper, who runs his business in Cantt area, added that he had received many orders for preparation of the ornamental tree. “The remand of trees, ranging from a height of one foot to 10 feet is higher,” he remarked.

The trees were available from Rs1,000 to Rs15,000, depending on the size and decoration of the tree.

Hycinth Peter, an activist from Christian community, stated that the trees remain green all over the year. "The trees have special significance for Christian people."

He explained that devotees decorate their home during the Christmas festival with pine, spruce, and fir trees. “Similarly, some people also hung evergreen boughs over their doors and window.”

Hycinth further said that it was believed that evergreen trees keep away witches, ghost, evil spirit and illnesses. “Some people used to put gifts under the trees during night time for the poor. The green colour of the trees also represented life, rebirth and stamina required to endure extreme winter months.”

Another member of the Christian community named Haroon told APP that he was collecting money for the last three months to purchase the Christmas tree. He maintained that he would decorate his home on occasion of upcoming festival Christmas.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2020.