While you may expect a movie star or world leader to make a dynamic entrance by helicopter, you might not expect a tree to be given the same treatment. Not so for the people of St. Gallen, who saw their Christmas tree airlifted by helicopter into the Swiss city.

Christmas tree in St. Gallen makes dramatic entrance by helicopter

On October 7, crowds gathered in the monastery square in the centre of St. Gallen to see their public Christmas tree arrive. While most towns would have someone drive the tree to the event, or - in the case of London - have it shipped from overseas, the tree’s arrival was like something out of a Bond film: it was airlifted by helicopter.

The 18-metre-tall, 26-year-old Christmas tree was grown in the Swiss canton by the Studer-Jäckli family, who told FM1Today that being chosen was like “fulfilling a dream.” A team employed by the local council (Gemeinde) came to cut and collect the tree. It was then picked up by helicopter for its journey to the Swiss city.

Check out the tree's flight to St. Gallen

With perfect weather and little wind, the helicopter was able to transport the tree safely to its new home in Klosterplatz, where it was secured in place just in time for the St. Gallen Christmas Market and the first day of advent. You can see the serene flight for yourself in the video below: