| We may think the tradition of the Christmas tree | | | | tinsel can look a little stringy, try finding |
| started with Christmas, but factually, different | | | | punched-tin garland or ornaments to represent |
| cultures have been placing evergreens in their | | | | the original tin decorations. Before electricity |
| homes and on their doors and windows during | | | | German families used candles to represent the |
| their winter solstice for thousands of years. | | | | light of the night sky shining through the tree |
| Evergreens had special significance to ancient | | | | branches. Today, you can find many authentic |
| peoples. They offered protection from evil spirits | | | | looking candle-shaped lights that clip on the |
| and the guarantee that warmer weather and | | | | branches, just like the candles of old. |
| green plants and crops would always return. 16th | | | | And you may think that artificial trees are a late |
| century Germans are credited with the first | | | | 20th century phenomenon, but you'd be off by |
| Christmas trees, but, however, it didn't become | | | | about 100 years! The Goose Feather tree was |
| fashionable in the United States until 1846, when | | | | originally invented in the 1880's in Germany to |
| Queen Victoria and the royal family were | | | | combat the damage being done to fir trees in the |
| sketched standing around a decorated Christmas | | | | name of Christmas. Now of course, we have |
| tree. In the need to be fashionable, wealthy East | | | | Christmas tree farms, but consider using |
| Coast Americans followed suit and the tradition | | | | decorative feathers in your tree or make a |
| was embraced in America. | | | | festive feather tree as a table topper. Fast |
| When you trim your tree this year, consider | | | | forward to 1930, where in America the Addis |
| paying homage to the old, old traditions. German | | | | Brush Company created the first artificial "brush" |
| "tannenbaums" held real tin "tinsel" and fruits of all | | | | trees, using the same machines that made their |
| kinds, especially apples which referenced the tree | | | | toilet brushes! Now that's multi-purposing! These |
| as the "tree of knowledge" in the Garden of Eden. | | | | trees had a definite advantage over feather trees |
| Since fresh fruit won't stay that way for long | | | | as they would hold heavier decorations and |
| (and unlike old Germany, we tend to decorate our | | | | ornaments. Today, there's an array of artificial |
| trees long before Christmas Eve), look for high | | | | Christmas trees, often pre-lit than can be used |
| quality artificial and decorative fruit from a floral | | | | from year to year. |
| supplier. Marzipan is a fruit shaped German | | | | So whether you go traditional or modern, real or |
| confection (you can get these artificially as well) | | | | artificial, it's always good to have an appreciation |
| that looks great on a tree. Place it next to | | | | for the origins and history of this icon of the |
| gingerbread cutouts, and blown glass | | | | Christmas season. |
| ornaments-also German originals. Since today's | | | | |