When we talk about the history of Christmas trees, there are really several issues to address.  First, there is the association of the evergreen tree with Christianity.  When and where did this begin?  Next, how did the evergreen tree come to be associated with the Christian holiday of Christmas?  And last, how did this association manifest itself into our modern day tradition of a decorated tree at the holiday season?  We will examine each of these questions one by one.

Evergreen trees and Christianity:

There is some debate about when and how the evergreen tree first became associated with Christianity.  Some historians tell us that a monk named Boniface happened upon a group of pagans worshipping an oak tree in the woods (and possibly also performing animal and human sacrifices there).  Boniface was angered by this, and he cut the oak tree down.  As the legend goes, an evergreen tree sprang up where the oak had been.  Boniface and the pagans believed this to be a sign of Christianity, and thus, the association of the evergreen tree with Christianity first begin.  There is also some debate about where exactly this happened.  Some historians claim it happened in Riga, Latvia.  However, some others argue that this occurred in Germany, which might make more sense given that Boniface was a German monk.

Evergreen trees and Christmas:

Some other historians claim that the monk Boniface actually used the evergreen tree as a teaching tool to preach Christian beliefs to pagan populations.  He took the triangular shape of the tree as a symbol of the Christian trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  According to this legend, sometime around the 12th century A.D., Christian people brought evergreen trees indoors at Christmastime and hung them upside down from their ceilings as a symbol of the Christian faith.

Others claim that the earliest recorded reference to evergreen trees being used at Christmas celebrations was documented by 16th century German craft guilds.  One such reference tells of a fir tree that was decorated and displayed in the guild’s main shop, and that the guildmen’s children were allowed to take the small gifts that decorated the tree for the holiday.  Still other references suggest that perhaps the guild apprentices were charged with carrying the decorated evergreen through the streets in celebration.

Martin Luther is another individual credited with the early association between the evergreen tree and Christmas.  As the story goes, Luther was out for a walk one winter evening, admiring the beauty of the twinkling stars in the clear night sky.  He was thus inspired to cut down an evergreen tree, bring it indoors, and attempt to re-create the starlight effect by decorating the tree with candles.

Transition to the Modern Day Christmas Tree:

Traditionally, Germans decorated their Christmas trees with fruits, nuts, small gifts, and other trinkets.  Glass ornaments also got their start in the famous glassblowing shops of Germany.  For this reason, our modern day tradition of decorated Christmas trees is usually traced back to a German heritage.

There was a period of time when Christmas trees were shunned by conservative Christians as idolatry.  In Puritan America, Christmas trees were not welcome in Christmas celebrations.  In England, decorated trees and Christmas carols were banned completely.  Fortunately, these days didn’t last for too long.  In the mid-1800′s, Queen Victoria of England and her royal family were photographed in front of their decorated family Christmas tree and the picture appeared in the London News.  From then on, decorated Christmas trees became widely popular in England and the United States.

The tradition of decorating evergreen trees at Christmastime has certainly evolved from the early historical accounts, but one thing remains the same.  A beautifully decorated Christmas tree is still an inspiring sight enjoyed by all that puts us in the holiday spirit each year.

Personalized ornaments are a way to add spice and a way to let the person you give the gift to, know that you are thinking exclusively of them. Not only that, but by using personalized ornaments as one of your gifts, it is very similar to shopping for a unique greeting card that has it’s own personal message to the receiver.

If we look at how commercialized our lives have become over the years, it is actually quite shocking to know a child expects a commercial IPod versus unique personalized ornaments which can express ‘I Love You’. IPods can be purchased any time of the year and carries with it no special meaning plus it is not a gift that can be kept for years and even passed down to other members in a family.

Whatever happened to the ‘real’ Christmas trees that smell up the room with it’s scent? How about the family event of decorating the tree with popcorn that the family spends time popping and then stringing together in order to cover the tree in strands of it? What ever happened to the personalized ornaments made by children or family by either crafting them in school or at home? So, the 3 year old makes an odd shaped Santa that hangs on the tree and then goes on the tree every year. Take a photograph of this and add to your photo album. This child is only 3 years old one time and can only do this one Christmas in it’s life. Enjoy it.

Why can’t the ‘old’ way of wrapping presents again introduced to our family instead of having a store commercially wrap them. How about pulling out the roll of aluminum foil, grabbing some string or yarn (these can be colored with food coloring too), cut up an old shirt with a cute pattern, and wrap some really great looking presents for under the Christmas tree.

Whatever happened to the homemade candy taffy the family cooked together and then pulled and pulled and pulled until it reached the right consistency to be eaten? What about the popcorn balls that the children help roll together in balls and is delicious for the family on Christmas day?

We can bring back the family unit by creating an environment that creates happy memories over and over again throughout the year and begin by the easiest holiday of all, which is Christmas. There are so many things we can do to make this holiday unique for our family and friends. Personalized Ornaments for the Christmas tree is one very easy way to do this and then add other things that create situations where the family and/or friends join together to do them. Bring the digital camera. You will find many opportunities to take special photos throughout all the events that you plan.

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Christmas decorations are one inseparable part of the Christmas holidays, without which Christmas would lose all its color, spirit, warmth and charm. And it’s also great to get together with all in the family or the whole gang of friends for the Christmas decorations. Isn’t it a joy untold to watch the hand-crafted stars or bells hung up on the Christmas tree or on the wreaths ? Don’t you feel the festive tickle to see Christmas-themed table-spreads, curtains, napkin-holders, or carpets ? Ideas for Christmas decorations are plenty to satiate the festive craving of all and sundry. And the stores dish out a huge array of Christmas decorations too. You can either buy them home or decorate your home yourself with your own ideas and designs. Here’s enlisted a few for you to get started with your Christmas decorations and Christmas planning.

The easiest and simplest of all Christmas decorations—get empty boxes or cartons and wrap them up in red, green, blue colored papers or colorful Christmas wrappers. Tie ribbons around some and leave them sporadically around the base of your Christmas evergreen or on the mantle.
Hanging cute Christmas stockings make good decorations too for your Christmas d?cor. You can cut out papers or fabrics in shapes of stockings or candy canes, have them colored by the kids and stick them all around the room to add that festive touch on Christmas.

Umpteen stores sell battery-operated candles especially for this holiday and these look radiant in and around your home as also on your Christmas tree. Anyone would like to go for these hassle-free Christmas decorations and give their interiors a total face-lift for the occasion.

A fetching idea for your Christmas decorations would be to deck up your house plants with little stars and bells and to place them on window sills.

Get holly boughs and mistletoes home. Hang them around and watch the magic of Christmas unfold before you. These Christmas decorations are traditionally passed down through ages and never fall out of the hall of fame.

How about this ? Take a pin-up board and pin Christmas-related images or messages on them. You can also fix Christmas cards that you get for the year. This Christmas decoration would be best for your office cubicle or room. So bring your colleagues in the spirit of the holidays instantly as they step into your holiday ‘den’.

Now here’s another to rev up your Christmas decorations—take a white table-spread and stick little paper or fabric pieces in shapes of stars, bells, candy canes, gift-boxes, Santa hats and more.

Deck up your halls in Christmas streamers (bought or homemade) or in Christmas wreaths. You can hang a bunch of bells on the doorway too. Won’t it be sweet to hear the jingles every time anyone enters during the Christmas season ?

Decorate white slender candles with red and green ribbons. Tie them into a bow or just spiral it around. They would swell for sure if placed in a cluster on your Christmas dinner table or over the mantle. Don’t forget to leave a bell carelessly at the base. Your friends, folks or sweetie pie would surely love the shine and shimmer of the bell in the candlelight and you may collect few kudos for such thoughtful Christmas decorations.

For outside decorations, get some Christmas lights home. Glowing bulbs or lighted candles that run on battery would just suit fine outdoors. You can place a big cutout of Santa to welcome your dear ones too. Or you can let loose your own festive ideas.

Play Christmas numbers for the background scores to complement the tree, table and hall decorations. Well chosen Christmas songs are just the right fill for the holiday ambience.

Create cute bows for the special day and have them stitched to curtains or tied to door-knobs or around the glasses on the Christmas table. These Christmas decorations won’t take much time and would be fun to do too. So get on with these.
Well then, welcome the season of joy and brace up to make merry with friends and family—it’s Christmastime folks ! The merriest time of the year is here. So leave your worries behind, deck the halls with wonderful Christmas decorations and share the warmth and joy of the season with all far and near.