A lighted tree stands in front of the capital's iconic Brandenburg Gate. The modern Christmas tree has its roots - pun intended - in Germany, where it became a typical holiday decoration among Rhineland families in the 18th century.

Every year the City of New York places a giant Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center, a tradition that dates back to 1933. Trees have served as important symbols for everyone from the Ancient Egyptians to pagans.

The Russian capital's famous Red Square, an important center of political life during the Soviet Union, now plays host to an annual Christmas celebration. While such festivities were prohibited during the communist era, many Russians still found time to decorate so-called "New Year's trees."

There may not be actual snow, but the Mediterranean city-state's holiday spirit is on full display in Casino Square. Here, the legendary Monte Carlo Casino can be seen ushering in the holy day in high style.

A Christmas tree stands before the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in the Shinjuku district. Though not a national holiday in Japan, the secular celebration of Christmas, encouraged by the spread of Western culture, has become widespread.

A Christmas tree shines brightly in the central business district of the Ivory Coast's capital. There is an almost even split in this West African country between Christians and Muslims, who have generally been successful at coexisting.

Putting an environmentally conscious spin on an old tradition, this Christmas tree was constructed out of plastic bins and hampers. More than 80 percent of Mexicans are Catholics, although other Christian denominations have grown in numbers over the years.

This unique tree can be found in Byblos, north of the country's capital, Beirut. Lebanon allegedly has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East, although an official census has not been carried out since 1932.

What looks like a normal holiday concert at first is anything but. The women in Santa costumes are actually inmates at the Nelson Hungria prison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each year, they put on a Christmas celebration that includes religious plays like this one.

The hundreds of female inmates at Nelson Hungria compete with each other to see whose cell has the most beautiful Christmas decorations. It's not an individual effort but a group project, since up to 50 women share one cell in the prison that's part of the sprawling Bangu penitentiary complex.

Decorating is not the only discipline in the annual Christmas competition. Many of the inmates also dress up in an effort to win Best Costume. This young woman went for a Christmas elf look. Prison officials have said that the event helps the women bond.

For the decorations and costumes, like this Mrs. Claus dress, the women use whatever material they can get their hands on: empty soda bottles, tissue paper and styrofoam, to name a few.

The stars, the tree, the hats - Christmas spirit can be achieved even in a crowded cell. Conditions in many other Brazilian prisons are worse, and not just for the lack of decorations. Human rights activists have blasted inhumane conditions like overcrowded cells, unbearable stenches and roach infestations.

The inmates at Nelson Hungria serve time for crimes ranging from burglary to homicide. The annual Christmas competition and celebration is something to look forward to for the many women who don't receveive any visitors over the holidays.

Directors from other prisons come in to judge the competition. The winners score prizes ranging from name-brand hair products to stationary fans and flat-screen TVs. The celebration still ends like every other day at Nelson Hungria, though: with a heavy door falling shut, locking the prisoners in.