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Vilnius Airport puts up least festive Christmas tree ever, made of knives, scissors and bullets

Tree displays items prohibited from passengers’ luggage

Helen Coffey
Thursday 12 December 2019 08:13 EST
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Vilnius Airport's unusual Christmas tree
Vilnius Airport's unusual Christmas tree (MARTYNAS JAUGELAVICIUS)

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Vilnius Airport in Lithuania may have just created the least festive Christmas tree of all time – comprised of knives, bullets, scissors, lighters and blades.

The 1.5m curiosity took just over a fortnight to construct, and features green scissors in place of branches, and a diverse array of decorations, lighters and Swiss army knives among them.

There are also bullet decorations, a blood-stained knife and a fake gun, with the whole tree topped by a star made of blades.

Everything on the tree is a prohibited item that passengers are not allowed to pack in their luggage.

There is a serious message behind the distinctly sinister sculpture, according to the airport.

The 5ft tree in all its glory
The 5ft tree in all its glory (MARTYNAS JAUGELAVICIUS)

“The aim is to send an educational message on the importance of aviation security,” a spokesperson from Vilnius Airport told the BBC.

The tree has some unconventional decorations
The tree has some unconventional decorations (MARTYNAS JAUGELAVICIUS)

“The items are prohibited to carry in hand luggage and were taken away from passengers during screening. Knives, scissors, lighters, blades, and all sorts of other dangerous goods.

“So if you don’t want your personal, yet prohibited, belongings to land on next year’s Christmas tree, better check out the baggage requirements before you pack for your next flight.”

Earlier this year, Vilnius was named the cheapest European city break destination.

The Lithuanian capital came top in the Post Office’s 2019 City Costs Barometer report, which adds up the cost of a weekend away in 48 cities across the continent.

It included the price of two nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel, along with living costs such as the price of a glass of wine, three-course dinner and art gallery entry.

Vilnius’s total spend was £147.35 – down 11 per cent since last year’s report.

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