Traditionally in the UK, the tree goes up on the first day of Advent, whilst on the continent it can be erected as late as Christmas Eve depending on the country. The idea of decorating a tree in England did not appear until George III’s wife presented a fully decorated tree at a party for children in 1800. The tradition stayed in the royal family until Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert as the custom spread to wealthy families. With the use of decorated trees at public events, the practice finally caught on by the end of the 19th Century.