The Christmas tree is arguably the most well-known symbol of Christmas around the world.
The Christmas tree is arguably the most well-known symbol of Christmas around the world. Families everywhere choose their tree, whether it is freshly cut or made in a factory, decorate it with lights and ornaments, and gather around during the holiday season to celebrate. But why do we even celebrate with trees in the first place? The history of the Christmas tree spans back millennia, before Christmas was ever first celebrated!
Pagan Usage of Evergreens
Long before the development of the Christian religion, the people of ancient times held trees in high regard. Much as today, greenery during the cold winters was prized and held special meaning. In Egypt, and later in Rome, people would hang evergreen boughs over their doors and windows during the winter – it was believed that this would keep away ghosts, illness, evil spirits, and witches. Moreover, greenery helped remind the people that the spring would be back before they knew it. We know that the Winter Solstice comes only a few days before Christmas each year. The pagans celebrated the Solstice – it was the longest night of the year, but it meant that spring would be back soon.
German Christmas Trees
It isn’t until much later after the founding of Christianity that we begin to see the usage of evergreen trees to celebrate Christmas. Historians credit the people of the Germanic kingdoms with the start of this practice in the 16th century. People began bringing evergreen trees into their homes to celebrate the season. It is also widely believed that Martin Luther, the founder of the Reformation, was the first to add lighted candles to a tree – leading to our modern tradition of adding electric lights.
To America and the Wider World
Up until mid-1800s, Christmas trees were still strictly a German tradition, and even in America you would never see them unless you walked into the home of a German immigrant. But in 1846, Queen Victoria of England, who was married to a German noble, Albert, was sketched standing around a Christmas tree with the royal family in a London news tabloid. Victoria and the royal family’s immense popularity is credited with popularizing the wider usage of the Christmas tree. And this was not just true of British society, but also with the high-class society of the American East Coast. By the 1890’s, Christmas tree ornaments were being imported in large quantities to America from Germany and the tree was becoming more common amongst families of all nationalities. By 1931, with the placement of the first Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York, Christmas trees were ubiquitous in the English and German speaking worlds, and they would continue to rise in popularity around the world to this day.
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Experience an exhilarating adventure in 2022 on the Cosmopolitan, Great Escape, Greek Island Hopper tour, and more! 2022 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.