The Christmas Tree Controversy

The Christmas Tree Controversy: The Storm Before the Sparkle

It’s supposed to be a symbol of joy — but in France, it’s become a national drama.

Too early, too ugly, too cut… each year, the great Christmas tree of Strasbourg arrives on Place Kléber and instantly divides the country.

One minute it’s “the heart of the Capital of Christmas.” The next, it’s a victim of public outrage, ecological guilt, and social-media sarcasm.

In this 6000-word cultural investigation, French writer Pierre dives into the story of one very public fir tree — and the three storms that surround it:

the aesthetic one (“it’s hideous!”), the ecological one (“you killed an innocent tree!”), and the temporal one (“it’s not even November!”).

From the Vosges forests to city hall press releases, from Facebook comment wars to the quiet work of the ONF (France’s National Forestry Office), this humorous yet thoughtful piece explores how a simple holiday tradition became a mirror of French society — full of beauty, contradiction, and a touch of absurdity.

🎄 Inside this festive investigation:

– Why Strasbourg’s “Capital of Christmas” tree looks terrible before it looks magical

– How a Lorraine fir ended up at the centre of Alsace pride (and rivalry)

– The unexpected eco-logic behind cutting down a tree to celebrate nature

– What Facebook comments reveal about French identity, impatience, and humour

– The real logistics behind lighting up 10,000 LEDs without melting the ice caps

More than a Christmas story, this is a portrait of France itself — its love for tradition, its flair for debate, and its uncanny ability to turn even a tree into a philosophical question.

📬 Originally published on Substack for paying subscribers, this exclusive essay is now available as a beautifully formatted, downloadable PDF for just £3 (approx. $4 USD) — a small price for a slice of French irony (and a few needles of truth).