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Marilyn Roy  Illustrated London News engraving from 1846 of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, their children, and the Queen Mother around their Christmas tree.
Whether they are long needled, short needled, or artificial, Christmas trees are sprouting up everywhere. Have you ever wondered why we decorate lighted pine trees for the holidays? When and where did the tradition start?
Blame the Ancient Greeks and Romans The ancient Greeks and Romans worshipped the sun as a god. After the shortest day of the year, the Winter Solstice in December, they celebrated the recovery of the sun from an illness as the days got longer. They hung pine branches and branches of other evergreens (coniferous) plants around their homes. The Celtic Druids and the Scandinavian Vikings also use pine branches. The ancient Egyptians used palm rushes. The practice was a reminder that the other plants would rejuvenate as the days became longer. Many also believed the branches warded off evil spirits and illness. The Romans called this celebration Saturnalia, after Saturn, the god of agriculture. From Germany to the United States The Christmas tree could date back to 15th-century Germany. On Christmas eve, the Germans celebrated the feast of Adam and Eve with Paradise Plays. A Freiburg guild erected an evergreen tree of knowledge for this celebration in 1419. It was decorated with gingerbread, apples, flour-paste wafers, and tinsel. In the 16th century, Germans started modern Christmas trees. They used candles to light the trees. German settlers in Pennsylvania introduced Christmas trees to the United States. The trees were displayed in German communities in the United States as early as 1747. However, due to the Puritan influence, Christmas trees were considered pagan even as late as the 1840s. Then, in 1846, the Illustrated London News published an engraving of cultural influencer Queen Victoria and her family around a Christmas tree. Suddenly, Christmas trees were acceptable. Christmas Trees in the United States While Europeans favored four-foot-high trees, floor-to-ceiling trees were popular in the United States. For decoration, the German immigrants used nuts, apples, and marzipan cookies to decorate their trees. Others created homemade ornaments, and some ornaments were imported from Germany. Dyed popcorn and cranberries also became popular decorations. Assistants to Thomas Edison are credited with the idea of creating strings of Christmas tree lights. Although it's a short-term market, Christmas trees are a big business that started around 1850. The trees take six- to eight- years to grow to a desirable size. Christmas tree farming occupies over 1,000,000 acres of land. While some sources say that 2,000 trees can be planted on an acre of land, most tree farms plant around 200 trees per acre. The most popular Christmas trees are the Douglas Fir, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Fraser Fir, and Balsam Fir. Famous Christmas Trees Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree While it wasn't the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, New York City put up the first community tree in the country in 1912. The first Rockefeller Center tree was installed in 1931. The Center was still being built, but the construction crew erected an unadorned tree on the construction site. The first decorated tree was in 1933, and the tallest Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center appeared in 1948. It was a 100-foot tall Norway spruce from Killingworth, Connecticut. The trees at Rockefeller Center now hold 25,000 lights. The White House Christmas Tree President Franklin Pierce (1853 -- 1857) started the White House Christmas tree tradition, but Teddy Roosevelt (1933 -- 1945) banned the tree for environmental reasons. Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has presented the tree to the President and the first lady. The tree arrives at the White House on a horse-drawn wagon and is accepted by the first lady. The Association picks several trees from around the country, and the White House chief usher makes the final selection. The chief usher also oversees the decorating of the tree and the rest of the White House. With the help of a large group of volunteers, the White House staff completes the decorating in around three days. Each year, the first lady selects the decorating theme. The tree is located in the blue room. Before it can be set up, the blue room chandelier must be taken down and carefully stored. The National Christmas Tree In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge (1923 -- 1929) started the lighting ceremony of the National Christmas tree which was displayed on the ellipse of the White House lawn. It was 48-feet tall and adorned with 2,500 red, white, and green lights. In 1934, two 23-foot Frasier firs were planted in Lafayette Park to be used as the National Christmas Tree in the future. In 1954, a 60-foot tree was delivered and set up in the park in a custom stand. Hargrove, Inc. began decorating the tree that year and continues the tradition to the present day. At that time, there were no strings of lights available for the tree, so they created their own. When a bulb flickered or burned out, Earl Hargrove, the owner, donned a Santa suit and replaced it. Since 1963, General Electric has designed the lighting and decorations for the tree. In 1978, a 15-year-old, 30-foot Colorado blue spruce was transplanted to serve as the National Christmas Tree. LED lights lit the tree for the first time in 2007. Five of Our Favorite Christmas Tree Designs on Zazzle 1. Oh, Christmas Tree Reusable Tote BagThis Oh, Christmas Tree Reusable Tote Bag from MarBeth Holidays features a digital photograph of a lighted and decorated Christmas tree with a lighted Christmas village beneath the branches. The oval frame and the ivory wall behind the tree give the design a warm, vintage look. Using this reusable tote bag as a gift bag provides the recipient with a second gift. To see more products with our Oh, Christmas Tree design, please visit our Zazzle store https://www.zazzle.com/store/marbethholidays/products?cg=196872766197613524 (MarBeth Holidays). 2. Vintage Christmas Ornaments Black Patterned Wrapping PaperThis fun vintage-inspired patterned wrapping paper is perfect for adding a cute retro look to your Christmas presents. With a bold black background and simple illustrations of vintage Christmas ornaments in red, cream, and aqua blue hanging from sage green tree boughs. It's perfect for wrapping up holiday gifts in style. 3. Vintage Pink & Glitter Gold Christmas Tree Pattern Pillar CandleA vintage Christmas pattern of pink trees and glittery gold snowflakes. An elegant holiday season candle. This design reminds us of a Christmas tree our grandmother had. It was an aluminum tree, a mid-century modern style that came with a 12-inch-high "lamp." The lamp had a canister that rotated with red, green, blue, and clear filters. As it turned, the tree changed from red to blue to green to silver. 4. Celtic Christmas TreeIntricate Celtic knotwork background outlines a colorful stained glass Christmas Tree with glowing lights. 5. Christmas Holiday Red with White Xmas TreeChristmas Holiday Red with White Xmas Tree - pretty contemporary red background with subtle bokeh pattern. White Christmas Tree made of snowflakes. Customize with your own message!
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AuthorMarilyn and Elizabeth both enjoy celebrating Halloween. As adults, they dressed in costumes to pass out candy. Elizabeth worked with their mother to make a witches costume for a Marilyn, and Elizabeth made a prairie dress that turned into a fairy princess costume with the tiara Marilyn crocheted over a wire form that she shaped. Archives
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