The Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree tradition is very popular in the world. The birth place of this tradition is Germany. It was in the 16th century when this tradition began. At that time some people brought Christmas tree to their houses and decorated with evergreen and candles. Some people made the tree at their homes and did the decoration and that was the beginning of Christmas tree tradition. The tradition gradually became popular in the whole Europe. The tradition also spread in England but the Christmas tree there was not as flamboyant as it is used to be now days. This tradition of decoration of Christmas tree was started by Prince Albert , the husband of Queen Victoria. He decorated the first English Christmas tree. He did the decoration with candles , stars, different type of fruits , sweets and ginger bread. Sooner the other people started to follow him and the process of decoration took the form of tradition. The rich people started decorating the Christmas tree with extravagant things. They started using candies, dolls, miniature furniture , jewellery , toys etc. The credit of starting Christmas tree tradition in America also goes to the German settlers of Pennsylvania displayed the decorated Christmas tree for raising funds for a local church. By the end of nineteenth century , the ornaments of Christmas tree have started being arriving from Germany to America and the popularity of Christmas tree tradition started gaining the height. The height of Christmas tree used in America was different than that was in use in Europe. In Europe the small , around four height, Christmas trees were used but American were using taller trees and height was from floor to ceiling. By the 20th century Americans started decorating the Christmas tree.

They used home made things for decoration. The electricity brought revolution in Christmas tree decoration. The small lighting bulbs make it possible to give the Christmas tree sparkling stars. Now people could make their Christmas trees glow for long. Earlier the Christmas tree were used to be found in homes and Church but now because of lights the these began to appear in town squares, private and public buildings to make the people know the beginning of Christmas festival. The Christmas tree, still vary to some extent from place to place. In earlier days of Christmas tree people used figures of angels and fairies for decoration. That was to welcome good spirits. At some time the bells and horns were also used for decoration just to frighten the evil spirits. In Poland the Christmas trees are decorated with figures of angels, peacocks and other birds. Stars are also used for decoration. The Swedish trees are decorated with colorful, wooden ornaments and figures of children and animals. In Denmark people decorate it with Danish flags , bells ,stars ,snowflakes and hearts. Czechoslovakian uses painted egg shells for Christmas tree decoration. The Japanese trees are decorated with small fans and paper lantern. The Christmas tree in India is decorated with candies, stars ,bells and electric lights.