KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 19 -- Homes sparkle with decorations, families gather for hearty meals, gifts are exchanged, and friends come together in festive cheer.

Once again, the joyful season of Christmas is here - a celebration that began as a Christian tradition but has since grown into a cherished cultural event embraced by people of all backgrounds.

Across the country, the air fills with the sounds and scents of the season: laughter, carols, the aroma of roasted delights, and the warm glow of twinkling lights.

Amid these many festivities, one tradition endures every year: the beloved Christmas tree, appearing in homes, shops, and public spaces alike.

For those who do not celebrate, it may raise a simple question: why do so many put up a...