How Christmas trees became a tradition

The first real evidence of decorated fir trees for the Christmas holidays dates back to some time in the 16th century in Europe. There were documents describing various organizations, churches, and even royal families decorating trees for Christmas celebrations.

In the 7th century, an English monk, Saint Boniface, began using a triangular shape to represent the Holy Trinity when teaching the Gospel to Germans in what is now central western Germany. This symbol was eventually changed to look more like a fir tree, which was common in the region.

The first act of decorating a fir tree to celebrate Christmas dates back to a German fairy tale from the early 15th century. The story is about a family who takes in a child on a snowy night before Christmas and the child surprises them in the morning with a fir branch that turns into a beautifully decorated tree to celebrate Christmas.

Decorations were often made from paper, local fruit, and candles. The Germans regarded the fir tree as a religious symbol associated with Christmas celebrations. Martin Luther is reported to have decorated a fir tree with candles to teach his congregation about the stars in the late 17th century and other evidence exists for many different areas of Germany using decorated fir trees.

The first recorded evidence of fir tree decoration in the United States was during the Revolutionary War. The English employed many professional soldiers from Germany and one of the historic battles of the war played a small role in this introduction. General Washington’s famous surprise attack on December 26, 1776 was planned to take advantage of troops who had celebrated Christmas the day before and would not be in a position to defend camp from him. Supposedly, part of the joy of the celebration was a decorated fir tree.

The following year, in 1777, German prisoners decorated fir trees while confined at the Noden-Reed House in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. As more settlers arrived from Germany, the tradition spread with them wherever they settled. Windsor Locks takes credit for the first Christmas tree to this day.

The general popularity of the Christmas tree in both England and the United States began to gain real momentum in the mid-19th century. There was an article published by the London News about Prince Albert and Queen Victoria decorating a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle around 1848 and it even had an illustration of the tree.

The tradition continued to grow and became both a commercial and religious symbol associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many communities kick off the holiday season after Thanksgiving with huge lighting ceremonies to usher in holiday shopping and celebrations.

The type of tree and the decorations on Christmas trees have changed many times over the years. From artificial aluminum trees in many different colors, flocked trees of all kinds, to reproductions that look exactly like the real thing. Decorations have expanded to many different types, from organic to homemade decorations.

Huge Christmas trees are displayed in major cities and business areas across the country. The community Christmas Tree lighting is very popular and is a great celebration. From Times Square in New York, the White House in Washington DC, to small towns in the American Midwest, Christmas trees kick off the holiday season.

For many people, the installation of the family Christmas tree is a family gathering and the individual ornaments and decorations are very personal for the members of the family. What was once a symbol of religion in the 6th century is now accepted by many as a symbol of good humor and kindness towards others in general.