Red-crowned cranes in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan (© Wirestock, Inc./Alamy)

Christmas tree at Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, San Diego, California (© SamAntonioPhotography/Getty Images)

Loisach River at Lake Kochelsee, Bavaria, Germany (© Christian Back/eStock Photo)

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland (© Smelov/Shutterstock)

Christmas market in Sibiu, Romania (© Calin Stan/Alamy)

English National Ballet performing ‘The Nutcracker’ (© Caroline Holden/Alamy)

Traditional red fishermen’s cabins on the shore of Reinefjorden, Norway (© Pilat666/Getty Images)

Salzburg, Austria (© bluejayphoto/Getty Images)

Lake Misurina, Dolomites, Italy (© Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)

Northern hawk-owl, Canada (© pchoui/Getty Images)