History of the Christmas Tree

Many believe the Christmas tree tradition began in 16th century Germany, but the ancient Egyptians celebrated greenery in winter long before.

Ancient Christmas trees

The ancient Egyptians were one of many civilisations that loved and worshipped evergreens. During the winter solstice, they gathered green date palm leaves to decorate their homes.

The ancient Egyptians believed the sun god Ra was recovering from illness during winter, and the palms symbolised life triumphing over death.

The Romans also enjoyed decorating with natural green foliage during the winter solstice. They took things further by exchanging gifts of coins, food and lamps – symbols of prosperity, happiness and light. The Roman festival was called Saturnalia in honor of Saturnus, the god of agriculture.

Ancient Britain had its own winter solstice rituals. Druids used holly and mistletoe as symbols of eternal life, and placed evergreen branches over doorways to keep away evil spirits.

Christmas trees as we know them today

Christmas trees as we know them today first appeared in 15th century Estonia. The Brotherhood of Blackheads erected a Christmas tree in their brotherhood house in Tallinn. On the last day of the holidays, they took it to the town square and danced around the tree.

The first recording of Christmas trees outside a church is in 16th century Bremen, Germany. Trees decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels and flowers were erected in guild halls to be enjoyed by the apprentices and children.

However my favourite tale is of a 7th century monk from Crediton in Devon, who went to Germany to spread the word of God. Legend has it he used the triangular shape of the conifer to illustrate the Holy Trinity of God. The people he converted revered the evergreen tree as God’s tree. By the 12th century it was being hung, upside-down, at Christmas across Europe as a symbol of Christianity.

England’s first Christmas tree came with the German Georgian kings. German merchants living here also decorated their homes with a Christmas tree. But the English were not admirers of the German monarchy, so the Christmas tree trend did not catch on until later.

In 1848, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert (who was German) made Christmas trees popular in England, with a family portrait in the Illustrated London News. The royal image of perfect family life around the Christmas tree, kicked of the seasonal trend across the U.K.

Artificial Christmas trees

The artificial tree, in particular the goose feather tree became popular in the late 1800s. Invented in Germany, they were designed to reduce the damage being caused to pine forests in the name of Christmas.

The artificial trees used widely today were first created by the Addis Brush Company in America. They were created using the same machinery that made their toilet brushes!

The new and stronger artificial Christmas tree proved very popular, as they were more resilient and could hold heavier decorations than the feather tree variety.

Modern Christmas trees

Today the brush style artificial Christmas tree and real Christmas trees, are by far the most popular trees at Christmas. However, the modern versions of the Christmas tree are becoming common place.

For the ever tighter spaces we live in, pencil or slim Christmas trees fit nicely with our modern way of life. Whereas, the futuristic light effects of fibre optic Christmas trees are now firm favourites with the children, and their calming glow is growing on the parents too.

From palm leaves to fibre optics, there’s a tree in history that will compliment every festive celebration. So if you haven’t put the Christmas tree up yet, what are you waiting for?