The Christmas Tree Tradition

 

Being brought up in England with the tradition of the Christmas tree, it was natural for me to assume, as a child at least, that it was a uniquely English tradition. Well, it was, in that Christmas trees and their decoration had been around a long time before I was born. But then I started to see them in American movies, so no doubt the Americans had inherited "our" tradition. However, no doubt Americans thought the Christmas tree was all their idea; after all, there are an awful lot of pine trees in the US; and in a fair number of Hollywood movies too.

Then there was the giant Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square in London. It's arrival from Norway each December, or was it late November?, heralded an official start to the Christmas  season. But did it mean also that Norway was the true home of the Christmas tree? There must be millions of native pine trees there, so it would seem a more logical originator of the Christmas tree tradition.

Well, no, it did not. The first recorded Christmas tree decoration occurred in Riga, Latvia. That was in 1510, so this is a very old tradition; then a Christmas tree was first recorded in Germany quite a few years later in 1531. The Christmas tree is used to symbolize and celebrate Christmas and the winter season all over the world, in many different countries and even across different cultures. In fact, a special "winter celebration" evergreen tree existed in the winter season before Jesus Christ was even born.

The Christmas tree is perhaps the most outstanding symbol of the holiday season. A Christmas tree is usually an evergreen tree that is decorated with ornaments, tinsel, and sometimes foods such as fruit, nuts, and sweets, especially chocolates.  The Christmas tree is also the place for putting gifts under on Christmas Eve night; well, it was in my home anyway. Christmas trees are a symbol of Christmas holidays, but also for the warmth, friendship and love of a family and friends that go along with the Christmas season. 

Around the Christmas tree is where my family used to gather to open presents on Christmas morning, and I am sure they evoke similar recollections for millions of Britons, other Europeans and North Americans. Here in the Philippines, Christmas trees are commonplace too, though there is never anything close to winter. Whether or not they were introduced by the Spanish or Americans, I can only guess; almost certainly the latter colonials, with the aid of Hollywood marketing no doubt.

The ancient Egyptians and Romans also used evergreen trees or pieces during the holiday season. The Egyptians use evergreen boughs to celebrate life, and the triumph of life over death, as associated with their god, Ra.  The Romans also used evergreen boughs to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, when they had their annual Saturnalia feast to honor Saturn, the god of Agriculture. This was a time of good will between men, and evergreen trees and sprigs symbolized that.

Christmas tree decorating became very popular in Germany in the 1500s.  The Christmas Tree evolved from the Germans' "Paradise Tree" (as in the tree in Paradise in the story of Adam and Eve), on which they hung red and green apples.  It was from this that the idea of hanging red and green items evolved, in the process dubbing red and green as Christmas colors. Eventually people hung not only apples on their Christmas trees, but fruit, candy, nuts, cookies, and other treats as well.

Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the US since the mid 19th century. Until recently, Christmas trees were cut down in the forest and then sold.  These days, though, 95 percent of all real  Christmas trees in the US, that are sold commercially, originate from Christmas tree farms.  Nowadays many tree farms will even give their customers the option of selecting their future Christmas tree while it is still young and growing on the farm (the average tree may take as long as 10 years to fully mature). Some tree farms sell Christmas trees on a "you-cut-it, you-buy-it" basis, enabling the customer to select and cut down the tree of their choice on their own. 

24.3 million Christmas trees were sold in the United States in 2003, most of which originated in one of 12,000 American farms that employed over 100,000 people. The Christmas tree will probably always continue to be used to celebrate Christmas and herald the holiday season.  The world has held on to this cherished tradition this long, why should it not continue?

As for articificial Christmas trees, well, that's another story. We have a beautiful pine tree we planted in our front garden a few months ago. In this tropical climate it has grown quickly, and will make a lovely centre piece for our Christmas decorations, outside when we add the lights in December. Winter? Who needs it to celebrate Christmas.

The Holiday Season - More Than Gifts For Christmas