Everything You Wanted to Know about Christmas Trees But Were Afraid to Ask

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Christmas Trees But Were Afraid To Ask

It’s that most wonderful time of year when Christmas festivities and decorations fill our lives. For over a century the Christmas tree has been a symbol of the holiday season. How did it come to be such an unmistakable symbol of Christmas? Well, settle back. I’m here to tell you.

Here’s a brief history of the Christmas tree. I hope you enjoy it.

3000 B.C.-Ancient Egyptians revered Evergreens because they represented life’s victory over death. The Egyptians would bring boughs into their homes during the Winter Solstice.

600 A.D.--St. Boniface used the Fir tree as a symbol of Christianity. Some believe he chose the Fir because its triangular shape symbolized the Holy Trinity.

1100-Christians began to hang Firs upside-down from their ceilings at Christmastime.

1510-The first “proper” Christmas tree was displayed at Town Hall Square in Riga, Latvia, and was believed to have been decorated with paper flowers.

1521-Germany popularized the Christmas tree and used Pine trees in Christmas celebrations. Decorations were hung from the trees, as well as fruits and nuts for the children to eat on Christmas Day.

1610-Ultra-thin strips of silver were manufactured for decorating Christmas trees. These strips were called tinsel.

1747-Bethlehem, PA, claimed to have had the first Christmas tree in the United States.

Early 1800’s-Popularity of the Christmas tree spread throughout Europe and was recognized by the Catholic Church.

1846-Queen Victoria popularized the Christmas tree in England and the U.S. East Coast after appearing in a news illustration posed next to one.

1850-Glass ornaments were manufactured to decorate Christmas trees, and quickly became fashionable, as well as a status symbol.

1880-Artifical Christmas trees were introduced in the U.S. and Germany to combat the damage and depletion of Fir and Pine trees.

1880-Woolworth began importing and selling Christmas trees to the American public.

1882-Inventions like electric lights and metal hooks for ornaments were introduced.

1930-Decorations for Christmas trees became more elaborate, and themed trees became popularized.

1950-The “Silver Tree” was released in America and designed to reflect light from a light source beneath the tree.

1980-Present-Artificial Christmas trees have become more realistic, some now come with lights, and sprays are available to mimic the scent of real Evergreens.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

 Tree at Rockefeller Center, 2010