The Christmas Tree is one of the prominent symbols throughout history that marks the time that Christmas season has arrived. Families for centuries have wandered out into the woods in the dead cold of winter to find that perfect Fir or Spruce to brighten up their living room for the holiday season. In modern times Christmas Tree lots pop up in cities and towns across America and Europe signaling the start of the season. Families have also adopted buying Artificial Christmas Trees that can last them years and years instead of cutting down a live tree.
For many countries, December 25th marks Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration of Christmas gained prominence gradually, with significant events such as Charlemagne’s coronation on Christmas Day in 800 A.D. In the Middle Ages, the holiday evolved with the advent of the 12 days of Christmas and the emergence of public festivals featuring ivy, holly, and gift-giving.
While Christmas celebrations date back to the 9th century, the Christmas tree’s prominent role as a holiday symbol emerged in the 12th century, with Europeans hanging fir trees upside down to mark the season. In the early 16th century, Martin Luther is credited with decorating the first Christmas tree with candles, aiming to illustrate how stars twinkled through the dark night. Germany pioneered Christmas markets in the 16th century, offering gifts, wreaths, trees, and food to the public.
In America, the arrival of the Christmas tree can be traced to German settlements in the late 1700s and early 1800s, with settlers using Douglas firs and Virginia pines for decorations. In 1847, August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, decorated a blue spruce with candy canes, a tradition honored annually at his grave.
By the 1800s, Germany’s trees faced mass destruction, prompting the introduction of the first artificial tree made of goose feathers in the 1880s. In the early 1900s, the Addis Brush Company in America innovated artificial Christmas tree construction, leading to more durable alternatives. The 1960s saw the rise of silver aluminum pine trees, sparking the mass production of artificial trees in various styles.
Today, families can choose from a wide array of artificial Christmas trees in different colors, sizes, and styles. These trees come pre-wired with assorted lights, offering families a convenient and customizable way to brighten their holiday celebrations.
