The History of the Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are a must-have decorating point for any family celebration around the holiday. Many of us have fond memories decorating, singing around, and shaking up presents under our Christmas trees. The awe of the Christmas tree continues to warm the hearts of millions around the holiday season. Have you ever wondered why we decorate and put up trees around Christmas?

Experts report that people have almost always found special meaning behind evergreen plants, which flourish year round. Ancient peoples across many cultures actually hung evergreens over their doors and windows, as they believed the plants would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. Many ancients also believed that with the arrival of the winter solstice, usually December 21 or 22, the sun, which they had deemed a God, grew sick. The retuning of the sun at the change of seasons was celebrated because it meant that the sun was well again, and that good weather would return. This emphasis on the winter solstice would eventually influence when Christmas would be celebrated.

As for the actual Christmas tree, Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition in the 16th century, as devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Many believe that Reformation leader, Martin Luther, is credited with adding the first lighted candles to the Christmas tree. It is believed that while writing a sermon he was inspired by the stars outside of his window. Wanting the recapture the beauty of the stars, he erected a tree in his home with lighted candles on the branches.

Christmas trees were considered somewhat of an oddity in the nineteenth century. The first record of one being on display was around the 1830s by German settlers in Pennsylvania. This is possibly traced back to the tradition of seeing the Christmas tree in their German homes in their childhoods. However, the tradition of the settlers was seen by many as pagan symbolism, and was not accepted by most Americans of the time.

The backlash against the Christmas tree was ironically perpetuated by religious leaders of the day. Many of the most influential figures of early America, including William Bradford and the English leader Oliver Cromwell, preached against the “heathen traditions” and observances of Christmas, including Christmas carols, Christmas trees, and celebrating December 25th with anything other than a church service. Many Christmas traditions had evolved out of pagan Germanic practices that centered around the winter solstice. Over the years, the blending of religions and cultures had endowed Christmas with many colorful and festive new traditions.

Despite all of the backlash and shaming that the early patrons of Christmas received, the Christmas tree would finally come into fashion about two centuries later. In 1846, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were sketched with their family in front of a Christmas tree. After this, the Christmas tree was an instant hit both at home and in America. By the 1890’s, Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany, and the popularity of the Christmas tree was well on the rise.

While the Christmas tree is now a longstanding symbol of the holiday, features of it have evolved. In the 20th century people began to put home made ornaments on their trees. German Americans uniquely continued to decorate their trees with apples, nuts and marzipan cookies. Many other cultures around the world have also put their own cultural twist on the decoration and celebration of Christmas in their home countries. As you and your neighbors put up your own trees, be sure to think about how your family puts its own spin on the tradition!