The first holiday trees appear like Halloween ghosts foretelling Christmas Future. Then, during the first two weeks of November, decorated synthetic evergreen trees stand in shopping malls, grocery stores & check-out counters. Some are tall. Some are short. All seem to whisper, “Forget the turkey, it’s time to fill Santa’s sleigh.”

As Thanksgiving draws near, trees sprout in living rooms. Sometimes boxes filled with a family’s favorite tree ornaments come out of storage while people talk about Christmases Past.

And now it’s December, the traditional festive tree season.

In the northern hemisphere, the history of festive winter trees and greenery is longer than we realize, but in every case the tree represents new growth and hope. So here is a brief overview of winter trees through the ages.

Ancient Egyptians worshipped Ra, the Sun God with a hawk’s head who carried the sun as a blazing disk in his crown. Egyptians believed that when days grew shorter, Ra became ill. After the Winter Solstice on December 21, Ra began to recover. Believers filled their homes with green palms and papyrus reeds to celebrate Ra’s renewed health, and the triumph of life over death.

Romans enjoyed an annual Saturnalia to celebrate the agricultural god Saturn between December 17 and 23. Participants adorned Saturn’s temples with evergreens, anticipating the farms and orchards that would soon be fruitful. No doubt evergreen decorations were the most staid part of the annual celebration.

Moving northward, Druids believed trees were a gift rom the gods to mark time and seasons. During the dark months, Druids decorated sacred oaks with mistletoe and lights to celebrate life’s wisdom.

Vikings also worshipped trees, especially evergreens which they viewed as a plant unique to the sun god, and a reminder that the darkness of winter would end. Often people decorated the trees with carvings of the gods and food as a way to entice spirits to return with spring.

In particular, the Norse cosmos featured a tree called Yggdrasil. This immense ash tree was the site where the gods held their courts. Its branches extended into the heavens. There were also three roots that extended into the well Urðarbrunnr in the heavens; the spring at Hvergelmir, and another well, the Mímisbrunnr.

St. Boniface Cuts Down the Yggdrasil

According to Christian legend, during the 8th century an Anglo-Saxon missionary named Boniface worked to convert pagans in Germany. In the area known as Hesse, he came upon pagans preparing a ritual sacrifice at an oak tree called the Donar Oak. Boniface picked up an axe to fell the tree when suddenly a wind blew it over. Shocked by events, particularly the fact their gods did not immediately smite Boniface, people accepted Boniface’s god, who was clearly stronger than theirs. Legend says Boniface used the tree’s wood to build a chapel to St. Peter, and planted a small fir tree at the spot where the Donar Oak once stood.

???Medieval Trees???

Adam & Eve & the Paradise Tree

December 24 is the feast day for Saints Adam & Eve, the individuals who disobeyed God and were evicted from the Paradise known as the Garden of Eden. Most saints gained their status by living obedient lives and performing miracles; Adam & Eve were evicted from Paradise for disobedience, but never mind the incongruity.

In the 12th century people celebrated Saints Adam & Eve with a Paradise Play depicting their creation and eviction, and a constant prop was the Paradise Tree made from an evergreen tree with adorned with bright red apples.

Martin Luther & An Indoor Tree

According to legend, in the 16th century religious reformer Martin Luther was walking home one winter evening when he observed bright stars in a dark sky. Inspired he created a way to share the magical experience with his family by bringing an evergreen tree into his home, lighting candles on its branches, and decorating it with gold and silver ornaments. Some say that Luther saw this tree as a perfect image of the cosmos — a symbol of the new Yggdrasil.

An alternate legend explains that it was Luther’s wife Katherine who inspired the custom. One Christmas Eve she placed paper roses in their windows. Martin decided to improve on her decorations by bringing a small fir tree inside and decorating it with the paper roses.

Birth of the “English” Christmas

Christmas trees became a German tradition, and after Prince Albert married Queen Victoria he wanted to bring Christmas trees into his home. In 1846 an illustration of this exotic import appeared in the Illustrated London News.

Everything Queen Victoria’s family did became popular, and Christmas trees were no exception. As the 19th century continued, England sourced trees from German forests.

Christmas tree harvesters chopped off the top of young evergreen trees to create Christmas trees that were between four and six feet tall. Once the top was removed, the remaining tree was unable to grow taller. This created a deforestation problem in Germany.

Enter the Artificial Tree

In response to the forestry crisis, people began creating feather trees. Goose, turkey, and swan feathers were dyed green and attached to a wooden dowel with wires or sticks that formed the branches. The branches were tipped with artificial berries to hold candles. The trees became quite popular in America during the 1920s, but fell out of use in the 1930s when real trees became more abundant.

In 1930 Addis Houseware Company introduced an artificial tree made of the same animal hair bristles the company used in toilet brushes. The resulting tree branches were stronger than feathers.

Aluminum Christmas trees made their appearance in 1958 and continued to be popular into the 1970s. The sparkling trees were sleek, modern, and they didn’t drop needles. A 6-foot tree cost $80.

The shiny trees reached the height of their popularity in 1965. But disaster struck aluminum trees on December 9, 1965 when approximately 36 million Americans tuned in to A Charlie Brown Christmas. When Charlie Brown and Linus looked for a tree they could use in their Christmas play, they found an aluminum tree display. Linus tapped on the shell, and sarcastically concluded the aluminum tree brought Christmas close to a person. [snark] Charlie eventually selected a spindly living tree. Aluminum trees, by comparison, were false pretenders. Sales plummeted.

Today Christmas trees come in all sizes. Artificial trees range from a one-foot sparkly pre-lit tree to over 9 feet of glittering festive fun. Live trees also abound with their unique scent. Some folks string lights through potted palm fronds. But no matter what tree you enjoy, large or small; living, cut, or artificial, Christmas trees bring joy and hope as we close out one year and begin another.

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Illustrations

Children Decorating Christmas Tree. Woolson Spice Company.

Ra by Eternal Space.

Saturn. Naples Archeological Museum. Carole Radiate.

Druids of Old England. 1868.

Yggdrasil from Northern Antiquities by Oluf Bagge. 1847.

Boniface Chops Down Sacred Tree. Bernhard Rode. 1781.

Adam & Eve. Workshop of Lucas Cranach. 1527. Gotogo.

Paradise Tree. E. M. Lilien. 1914.

Martin Luther’s Christmas Tree. Sartain’s Magazine. 1860.

Royal Christmas Tree. 1848.

Replica of Feather Christmas Tree. By a2gemma.

Aluminum Christmas Tree by Michelleration.

Photo by Author.

David Murray. “How Charlie Brown Killed the Aluminum Christmas Tree.” Great Falls Tribune. Dec. 8, 2017.

Amy Tikkanen. “How Did the Tradition of Christmas Trees Start?” Britannica.

“The Symbolism of Christmas Tree Decorations.” CTB. Nov 2 2021

The post Christmas Tree Trivia first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

It’s December, and almost everywhere you look there are Christmas trees, evergreen boughs, and other symbols of this end-of-the-year “Season.” Long before Santa ever came on the scene, people in the Northern Hemisphere worried about the winter darkness.

Some thought winter came because the Sun God was ill, and celebrated the Solstice because at long last the Sun God would regain his health. In Europe, evergreen plants were a reminder that green plants would grow again. In Ancient Egypt, people filled their homes with green palm rushes.

Many people saw evergreen foliage as a symbol of everlasting life. The association of evergreen trees with Christians began in the 8^th century with a Benedictine monk named Boniface who became so angry at the pagan rituals practiced around a sacred tree, he chopped it  down to prove it had no supernatural power. The pagans subsequently paid better attention to his sermons.

As for the evergreen tree, it’s triangular shape made it a symbol of the Christian Trinity. Eight hundred years later, Germans brought trees into their homes and wired the branches with lit candles.

Though some immigrants brought the German custom to America, the Christmas tree didn’t catch on until 1848 when the Illustrated London News published a picture of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children around a tree. Fashionable Americans adopted the practice, and made it their own. Whereas Europeans placed small trees on tables, Americans preferred trees that reached from floor to ceiling.

The National Christmas Tree 

The concept of public Christmas trees took off in the early 20^th century. On Dec. 24, 1923, President Calvin Cooledge flipped a switch to electrically light the first National Christmas Tree, a 60 foot balsam fir from Vermont. The glittering spectacle was less about the evergreen than the strand of 2500 red, white, and green electric lights.

The Society for Electrical Development sponsored the tree to encourage people to have outdoor Christmas trees using electric lights. The cost came to $5,000 [about $70,680 today].

The Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Our second “national” Christmas tree first appeared in 1931 when construction workers building Rockefeller Center collected funds to erect a 20 foot balsam fir tree, decorated by their families with homemade garlands of cranberries, paper, and a few tin cans.

Two years later, the Rockefeller Center was complete, and a second tree appeared. It was 50 feet tall, and had lights.

Today the tree is usually a Norwegian Spruce between 60 and 100 feet tall with 5 miles of multi-colored LED lights. In 2018 a star made of 3 million Swarovski Crystals topped the tree.

Do you prefer a “real” Christmas Tree?

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, Americans prefer real trees. Between 25 and 30 million trees are sold annually, with another 350 million trees in various stages of growth on Christmas tree farms. It takes about 10 years before a tree is ready to sell.

In 2018 Americans bought 32.8 million real trees, and 23.6 million artificial trees.

The first artificual trees appeared in Germany in the 19^th century. They were made of goose feathers that were dyed green and attached to wire branches. The branches extended from a central dowel that acted as the trunk. The trees became popular, but were flammable.

In 1930, the Addis Houseware Company made a tree from brush bristles that were dyed green. These were less flammable.

Neither of these experiements took hold. Then, in the late 1950s, the aluminum tree appeared, and became enormously popular. The trees made no attempt to look like a real tree as they projected a silvery metallic glow. The trees were at the height of their popularity in 1965 when A Charlie Brown Christmas used the aluminum tree as a symbol of Chirstmas excess and commercialization. Aluminum trees went out of fashion.

Modern artificial trees look like real trees without trying to impersonate them and are very popular for practical reasons. Over time, they are less expensive. An artificial tree is used ten or more years. 

Artificial trees are more convenient. You don’t have to crawl under the tree to pour water into the resevoir. It doesn’t drop needles. Most come with lighting attached.

People leave their decorations up longer. Artificial trees don’t turn brown or become a fire hazard.

Many people are allergic to real trees, making an artificial tree a healthier alternative.

And, some say cats are less interested in artificial trees. Hmm…I don’t think Koa Kat got the memo.

On the other hand, going into the mountains, or the local Christmas tree lot, still has its allure.

???

Marcel Rieder, 1898

Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, & their children. London Illustrated News. 1848.

1923 National Christmas Tree

1987 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree by James G. Howes

Artificial Christmas Tree. Patent Office. 1911

Aluminum Christmas Tree by Michaelleration

It’s a Charlie Brown Christmas.

Koa Kat Under Artificial Tree. Photo by Author

Christmas Trees Sold in the United States. Statista.

Michael Lore. “A Brief History of the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center.” Culture Trip. Dec. 12, 2018.

Courtney Vinopal. “Why are More and More Americans Buying Fake Christmas Trees?” PBS. Dec. 24, 2018.

Olivia B. Waxman.”The Electricity Lobby was behind the First National Christmas Tree Lighting” Time. Dec. 1, 2016.

The post Christmas Trees — Symbols of Hope first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

The tree appeared just before Christmas Eve – about the time a 5 year old has given up all hope. One Christmas Eve, the sun shone through the window onto an empty space. The tree, a distinct shade of brown, showed up after dark. It was rehabilitated with lots of recycled tinsel, and removed before dinner the next day.

“Mother, why can’t we get a tree when the school does?”

“Ask your father.”

 Hmmm. Definitely a case of how badly did I want to know?

 O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy leaves are so unchanging;


O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy leaves are so unchanging;


Not only green when summer’s here, but also when ’tis cold and drear.


O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
Thy leaves are so unchanging!

“Father, why can’t we get our tree at the beginning of December?”

“Humph!

 If we got it then, it would be dead by Christmas.

By getting it later, we can keep it up into January.”

“Oh.”

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Much pleasure thou can’st give me;

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Much pleasure thou can’st give me;

How often has the Christmas tree , a
fforded me the greatest glee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
Much pleasure thou can’st give me.



The Germans were the first to bring trees inside the house. No one knows why. And not everyone thought it was a good idea. In the 17^th century theologian Johann Dannhauer wrote, “Among other trifles which are set up during Christmas time, instead of God’s word is the Christmas tree or fir tree which is put up at home and decorated with dolls and sweets. Whence comes this custom, I know not.” I don’t think Johann was much fun at Christmas parties.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!

From base to summit, gay and bright,
 there’s only splendor for the sight.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 Thy candles shine so brightly!


When the German George I became king of England, he brought the Christmas tree with him. But no one paid attention until Prince Albert set one up in Windsor Castle in 1841. The Illustrated London News depicted the Queen Victoria’s Royal Family enjoying the tree. Suddenly everyone wanted to bedeck a tree with candles, quilted snowflakes, little baskets filled with sugared almonds, beads, silver tinsel and a Victorian angel on top.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!


Thou bidst us true and faithful be, 
and trust in God unchangingly.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
 How richly God has decked thee!”


Well, God may have made the tree, but my chubby hands placed each strand of tinsel on a separate needle, and when it was time to take off the ornaments, each strand had to be individually removed so it could be used again. *sigh*

Childhood memories of tinsel distribution influence my adult decorating decisions. For years, I‘ve used an artificial tree. Not because I want to save the earth, but so I can put it up on the first day of December and keep it up until the 12^th Day of Christmas on January 6. I keep lights shining brightly. And, I never, ever use tinsel.

Lyrics to O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum) written by Ernst Anschütz in 1824. Anschütz was less interested in Christmas trees than the evergreen fir’s faithfulness to life. While other trees gave up their leaves in winter, the evergreen maintains its true color.

How about you? Do you have childhood memories of tediously placing tinsel on the tree? Do you prefer living trees, fresh trees, or artificial trees? Leave a comment.

The post WHY IS THERE A TREE IN THE LIVING ROOM? first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.