A Journey to Christmas Past

The Christmas tree is the quintessential symbol of the holiday celebration.  But the evergreen tree decorated with lights and ornaments was not always an integral part of the Christmas tradition.  It was in the 16^th Century that the first references to Christmas trees were recorded.  In cities of the Baltic region of Northern Europe, evergreen trees decorated with roses were placed in the marketplaces on Christmas Eve.  Germany, however, is where the Christmas tree tradition grew into the custom that eventually made its way to America and continues to be a part of the modern Christmas celebration.

The Christmas tree tradition was brought to America with German immigrants of the 18^th Century.  Still, Christmas trees were not a popular staple of American celebrations until the mid-19^th Century.  These early trees were decorated with homemade items such as popcorn strings, nuts, fruits, and colored-paper ornaments as well as toys and gifts.  The introduction of pre-made glass ornaments in the 1870s changed the way trees were decorated, reflecting a shift from homemade to store-bought decorations.  Imported German glass and paper ornaments became fashionable in the 1880s and, by the 1890s, the variety and availability of store-bought decorations was extensive.  Christmas trees became highly decorated, filled with bright, festive ornaments of all shapes and sizes.   

Glow-in-the-dark ornaments, ca. 1950s

German blown-glass deer, ca. 1920

German “Dresden” embossed cardboard ornament, late 19^th Century