The Christmas Tree

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This page will include information on:

• Tips for Decorating & Caring

• History

• Customs

• Live vs. Plastic Trees

History of the Christmas Tree

Overview

The Christmas tree has become the symbol of Christmas to many people in Europe and North America.  A Christmas tree is seen in many homes, churches and public places during the holiday season beautifully decorated with gifts underneath.  However, the tree was not always part of the Christmas celebration, nor was the use of trees for celebratory purposes a Christian creation.

Ancient Uses of the Tree in Celebrations

Evergreens are the trees of winter.  While most trees lose their leaves in the autumn, Evergreens stay bright and green, so they were and still are perfect for mid-winter festivals. To ancient civilizations, the evergreen represented life and hope in the coming of the following spring. In fact, some early European tribes would hang evergreens in their doorways to invite in wandering winter spirits out of the cold and into their warm shelters.

The Romans would decorate their homes with green trees and leaves during the Festival of Saturnalia which celebrated the middle of the winter season and the half-way point to spring.  It was also called the Kalends of January, which was the beginning of their new year. [Note: The word "calendar" has its roots with the Roman word "Kalend."]

The ancient druids of central and northern Europe would use evergreens during their ceremonies to symbolize life (especially to show the lush colors of the evergreens to contrast with the other trees in the northern forests.)

Origins of the Use of the Tree for Christmas

Okay, guess the country where the evergreen was first used in the celebration of Christmas.  If you were thinking O' Tannenbaum and Germany, then you are correct.  Back in the 1500s, Christians would build Christmas pyramids out of wood in their homes to celebrate the holiday.  The pyramids would be decorated with evergreen branches and candles.

The idea grew and began to spread to other parts of Europe. The wooden pyramids also eventually became replaced by evergreens. In 1841, the decorating of of trees to celebrate Christmas became the fashionable thing after Prince Albert (who eventually became King Albert, husband of Queen Victoria), decorated a tree at Windsor castle with fruits, candles and sweets during the Christmas holiday. The rich and royalty began to design extravagant decorations with their trees  (they would use miniature furniture, dolls, silver, and other items).  This idea also began to take hold with the common people throughout Europe, but not with such extravagance.  The trees used by the Europeans were normally small (no taller than four feet or so).

The Christmas Tree Comes to America

Christmas trees were not common in America until the late 19th century. However, the first known tree to be displayed in the United States was in 1831 in Pennsylvania when a German congregation placed a decorated Christmas Tree on display in front of their church to raise money.

The idea of a Christmas tree was not an immediate hit with everyone.  Some believed that the tree was not for the celebration of Christ, but a symbol of old pagan religions.  In fact, it has been documented that in 1851, a parish in the United States made their minister take down the decorations off a tree during Christmas.  But, eventually the custom became more widespread and accepted by most.

By the turn of the 20th century, many people were bringing Christmas trees into their homes for the holiday.  Unlike the Europeans, the Americans were bringing very large trees into their homes that would reach their ceilings - or decorating tall evergreens outside their homes.  The decorations used by the Americans were items made or found in the home - although some, such as the German-Americans still used items from nature, such as fruits, nuts and berries as ornaments.  It is from them that the tradition of using popcorn as decorations began.  The popcorn would be painted, then strung up on twine, then draped around the tree.

Thomas Edison was a genius, but I bet that he did not think of how he would effect the way people decorate for the holidays.  The invention of electricity and the light bulb brought a whole new dimension to decorating the Christmas tree.  Strings of electric lights began to be strung up around the tree as decorations.  This eventually led to different shaped and different colored lights.  The ornaments on the tree are also electrified as well.

Decorated trees became associated with the holiday season itself.  Individuals, towns and cities would decorate inside and outside their homes and offices with decorated Christmas trees.  The lighting of a cities' tree has become a large event.  For instance, the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of Radio City Music Hall in New York City even gets its own television special.

Christmas Trees Around the World

Czechoslovakia

• They use painted egg shells as tree ornaments.

Denmark

• Trees decorated with flags of Denmark, snowflakes and hearts.

Japan

• Origami decorations, such as paper lanterns and tiny fans are hung on the Christmas trees.

Lithuania

• Tree ornaments include straw bird cages, objects in different shapes and stars.

Poland

• Decorated the tree with angels, birds and stars

Sweden

• Trees adorned with straw figures of children and animals, also wooden ornaments painted in very bright colors.

Ukraine

• Tree decorations include a spider and web for good luck (for good luck).

Christmas Tree Customs

Tips for Decorating and Caring of a Christmas Tree

Live vs. Plastic Christmas Trees