I was brought up in Yorkshire - we had a decrepit old artificial tree made from feathers dyed green tied onto metal rods.

It was always topped with a long glass ornament, a sphere with an indented starlike design and a long spike. There was a funnel shape on the lower side of the globe into which the topmost part of the tree was inserted. As that was metal, over the years holes had been punched through the ornament so each year it was carefully positioned to present the best face to the room.

Possibly as a reaction to that I always buy the largest live tree I can get into the car and put a big silver star on top.

Anne