A giant illuminated Father Christmas figure stands in Berlin's busy Tauenzienstrasse near a traditional Christmas market December 12, 2010. With only one weekend remaining before Christmas, many shoppers were out searching for presents.
A giant illuminated Christmas tree stands in Berlin's busy Tauenzienstrasse near a traditional Christmas market December 12, 2010. With only one weekend remaining before Christmas, many shoppers were out searching for presents.
Shoppers walk under Christmas lights in London's West End, December 12, 2010.
Staffs decorate a Christmas Fabrics Tree at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. The tree featuring three fairy tales, was measured at 5.4 meters (16.2 feet) high and 2.8 meters (7.4 feet) wide, and will be displayed to the public from later this week until early next year.
South Korean postmen wearing Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, prepare to deliver Christmas gifts to poor people during a charity campaign in Seoul on December 13, 2010. The campaign that involved some 50 postmen will be expanded into 9 cities until the end of this year.
Chinese shoppers select Christmas decorations on sale at a stall in Hefei, east China's Anhui province, on December 13, 2010. Christian culture, though still unfamiliar to most Chinese, continues to spread, and according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, over 23 million Christians now live in China, a significant jump over the past three decades, which has help to popularize the Christmas holiday.
An aquarium trainer in a Santa Claus costume is pushed out of the water by bottle-nose dolphins during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo on December 13, 2010. Visitors can view the Christmas special show, which will be held through to Christmas Day.
South Korean postmen wearing Santa Claus, or Father Christmas, outfits ride motorbikes to deliver Christmas gifts to poor people during a charity campaign in Seoul on December 13, 2010. The campaign that involved some 50 postmen will be expanded into 9 cities until the end of this year.
Chinese shoppers select Christmas decorations on sale at a stall in Hefei, east China's Anhui province, on December 13, 2010. Christian culture, though still unfamiliar to most Chinese, continues to spread, and according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, over 23 million Christians now live in China, a significant jump over the past three decades, which has help to popularize the Christmas holiday.
Chinese shoppers select Christmas decorations on sale at a stall in Hefei, east China's Anhui province, on December 13, 2010. Christian culture, though still unfamiliar to most Chinese, continues to spread, and according to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, over 23 million Christians now live in China, a significant jump over the past three decades, which has help to popularize the Christmas holiday.
An employee shows a jumping jack puppet featuring a likeness of US President Barack Obama at a stall in a traditional Christmas market in downtown Berlin December 12, 2010.
A jumping jack puppet featuring a likeness of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is for sale at a stall in a traditional Christmas market in downtown Berlin December 12, 2010.
A lit Christmas tree made of 5480 recycled bottles, made by Israeli industrial designer Hadas Itzcovitch and her father, artist Ernest Itzcovitch, is displayed in Haifa, northern Israel, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. Ernest and Hadas Itzcovitch used 5480 recycled plastic bottles to build a Christmas tree hoping to raise awareness of environmental issues and recycling, and completed it shortly after a devastating wildfire of the Carmel Heights that left 43 people dead.
US President Barack Obama (C) poses with First Lady Michelle Obama (3rd R), his mohter-in-law Marian Robinson (R) and his two daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (2nd L) and a group of children dressed as Santa's elves during a reception for Christmas in Washington, a charitable fundraiser and musical celebration of the holidays, at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, December 12, 2010.
Israeli artist Ernest Itzcovitch fixes recycled bottles back on a Christmas tree made of 5480 recycled bottles, in Haifa, northern Israel, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. Ernest and Hadas Itzcovitch used 5480 recycled plastic bottles to build a Christmas tree hoping to raise awareness of environmental issues and recycling, and completed it shortly after a devastating wildfire of the Carmel Heights that left 43 people dead.
Celina Hernandez sells Christmas lights in a street market in San Salvador, El Salvador on December 13, 2010.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 13: First lady Michelle Obama (L) reads the book of 'The Night Before Christmas' to patients as four-year-old Cheyenne Florio (R) and Santa Claus listen during her visit to the Childrens National Medical Center December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 13: Fdirst lady Michelle Obama (2nd L) reads the book of 'The Night Before Christmas' to patients as seven-year-old Gabriel Gomez (L), four-year-old Cheyenne Florio (R) and Santa Claus listen during her visit to the Childrens National Medical Center December 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. Visiting the center is a tradition for first ladies dating back to Bess Truman, wife of U.S. President Harry Truman.source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Gettyimages