Decorations for Christmas – A Short History

Every year during the holiday season, millions of people all over the world either unpack their Christmas decoration or purchase new ones and begin decorating their homes. Real Christmas trees or those made of plastic and other materials are carefully positioned in living rooms and festooned with ornaments and tinsel. Houses light up as Christmas lights are strewn all over roofs and windows. These are just a few examples of decorations for Christmas that people do. For those who have ever wondered how such a thing came to be, below is a short history of Christmas decorations.

People began putting up decorations for Christmas a long, long time ago. In fact, history experts believe that the custom of bringing in evergreen plants began in pre-Christian times. However, the first Christmas trees were probably those of German origin, although they were simply decorated with candles. Other nations used food such as fruits and nuts to make their trees more festive.

The breakthrough in decorations for Christmas probably occurred when European people began decorating their trees with tinsel. After that, other ornaments were added, such as glass beads and hand-sewn snowflakes.

Another important part of decorations for Christmas are the lights. The early Christmas trees were decorated with candles placed on branches via special candle holders. When electricity became available, Edward Johnson, a friend of Thomas Edison, had the idea to use many colored lights to brighten his tree. It was from this moment that Christmas lights as we know it today were created.

Some of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday season, also used as decorations for Christmas, also have beginnings rooted in history. Mistletoe, for example, was used as a symbol of peace by the Romans and enemies who met under them had to lay down their arms and embrace. The use of candy canes as ornaments began during the 17th century after a choirmaster requested that the canes be shaped like a shepherd's crook. Everything about Christmas, from why people celebrate it to what they use to show that the season has arrived, has a history and that makes the occasion all the more special.