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Faizan
While it may be called the "Christmas tree" now, the concept of a winter celebration involving trees predates Christianity by almost 1000 years. The history of the modern Christmas tree starts in ancient Rome and journeys through Germany and Elizabethan England to become the celebration it is today.
Many ancient cultures believed that winter was caused by an illness in the sun god (such as the Egyptian Ra and the Scandinavian Viking's Balder). Although the sun god's name varied by culture, most had one or a god of agriculture, such as Saturn. Winter solstice (December 21st or 22nd) was considered the point at which the sun god began to grow stronger. Evergreen plants were symbolic reminders of the coming spring.
Saturnalia was a feast celebrating the Roman god of agriculture, Saturn. Romans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs and small trees decorated with metal, exchanging gifts as symbols of brotherhood and affection. It was a celebration of peace and equality, and wars could not be declared during this period. Slaves were allowed to participate, even eating at the same table as their masters. Although most historians believe that Christ was born in spring, it is believed that Emperor Constantine chose December 25 as the day of celebrating Christ's birth in an attempt to take over the pagan celebrations.
The Paradise Tree
In the middle ages, many people were illiterate and books were scarce, so educational plays were made to teach early Christian the stories in the bible. According to Teacher Link, one of these, the Paradise Play, tells the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was presented around Christmas every year and featured an evergreen tree decorated with apples as the only stage prop. Eventually families began to bring trees into their own homes, with the tree and its decorations being symbolic for eternal life (the tree), the first sin (apples), and small fruits and toys symbolizing redemption.
Germany
It was in Germany that the tradition of trees during Christmas gained the most popularity and importance, even forming an industry in later times. Trees first appeared for sale in the 1500s. A diary from 1605 is the oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree. In 1610, tinsel was invented in Germany using real silver. In the 1800s, German towns like Lauscha produced garlands and fancy glass beads specifically for the trees, a tradition they continue to this day. This period is also where the tradition of a gilded angel on top of the tree comes from.
American Settlers
The German Moravian Church's settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania were recorded to have "Christmas trees" made of wooden pyramids covered with evergreen boughs in 1747. Hessian troops reportedly introduced the tradition of Christmas trees to the United States during the War of Independence and there are accounts of American soldiers at Fort Dearborn, Illinois having a Christmas tree in 1804. By the late 1800s, Christmas trees were gaining popularity in the U.S. with the arrival of ornaments imported from Germany, however, most decorations continued to be homemade. Unlike the European tradition for small personal trees it was noted that the Americans preferred ceiling-high communal trees.
The 1900s
It was in the 1900s that Christmas became the cultural phenomenon it is today. In the 1930s in Britain, Dickensian Christmas trees became popular again, at least until the 1940s and war with Germany, when it became illegal to cut down trees for decoration. Tabletop trees were decorated with homemade decorations, which protected heirloom ornaments while providing some cheer to those hiding in air raid shelters.
The first national American Christmas tree was in 1923 on the White House lawn. In the 1960s plastic and aluminum trees became popular, cheap alternatives to real trees. Christmas trees have changed little in the past decades, with real trees remaining the preferred choice, quickly followed by artificial versions in many shapes and sizes.
Many ancient cultures believed that winter was caused by an illness in the sun god (such as the Egyptian Ra and the Scandinavian Viking's Balder). Although the sun god's name varied by culture, most had one or a god of agriculture, such as Saturn. Winter solstice (December 21st or 22nd) was considered the point at which the sun god began to grow stronger. Evergreen plants were symbolic reminders of the coming spring.
Saturnalia was a feast celebrating the Roman god of agriculture, Saturn. Romans decorated their homes and temples with evergreen boughs and small trees decorated with metal, exchanging gifts as symbols of brotherhood and affection. It was a celebration of peace and equality, and wars could not be declared during this period. Slaves were allowed to participate, even eating at the same table as their masters. Although most historians believe that Christ was born in spring, it is believed that Emperor Constantine chose December 25 as the day of celebrating Christ's birth in an attempt to take over the pagan celebrations.
The Paradise Tree
In the middle ages, many people were illiterate and books were scarce, so educational plays were made to teach early Christian the stories in the bible. According to Teacher Link, one of these, the Paradise Play, tells the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. It was presented around Christmas every year and featured an evergreen tree decorated with apples as the only stage prop. Eventually families began to bring trees into their own homes, with the tree and its decorations being symbolic for eternal life (the tree), the first sin (apples), and small fruits and toys symbolizing redemption.
Germany
It was in Germany that the tradition of trees during Christmas gained the most popularity and importance, even forming an industry in later times. Trees first appeared for sale in the 1500s. A diary from 1605 is the oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree. In 1610, tinsel was invented in Germany using real silver. In the 1800s, German towns like Lauscha produced garlands and fancy glass beads specifically for the trees, a tradition they continue to this day. This period is also where the tradition of a gilded angel on top of the tree comes from.
American Settlers
The German Moravian Church's settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania were recorded to have "Christmas trees" made of wooden pyramids covered with evergreen boughs in 1747. Hessian troops reportedly introduced the tradition of Christmas trees to the United States during the War of Independence and there are accounts of American soldiers at Fort Dearborn, Illinois having a Christmas tree in 1804. By the late 1800s, Christmas trees were gaining popularity in the U.S. with the arrival of ornaments imported from Germany, however, most decorations continued to be homemade. Unlike the European tradition for small personal trees it was noted that the Americans preferred ceiling-high communal trees.
The 1900s
It was in the 1900s that Christmas became the cultural phenomenon it is today. In the 1930s in Britain, Dickensian Christmas trees became popular again, at least until the 1940s and war with Germany, when it became illegal to cut down trees for decoration. Tabletop trees were decorated with homemade decorations, which protected heirloom ornaments while providing some cheer to those hiding in air raid shelters.
The first national American Christmas tree was in 1923 on the White House lawn. In the 1960s plastic and aluminum trees became popular, cheap alternatives to real trees. Christmas trees have changed little in the past decades, with real trees remaining the preferred choice, quickly followed by artificial versions in many shapes and sizes.
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