With December and the holiday season well underway, Christmas trees have already begun to spring up in yards and living rooms around the area. While bringing in festive cheer, they make such a warm, inviting symbol in these cold months. This also made me wonder, how did Christmas trees come about as a tradition?
Christmas trees are in wide use across the United States. According to a Nielsen poll, 79 percent of Americans were estimated to have displayed a Christmas tree in their homes in 2013. They make an even larger impact in popular culture. A massive tree is put up in Washington, D.C., every year, and movies and commercials feature them in abundance.
But where did such a widespread tradition get its start? The answer goes further back than you might think. There is historical evidence that cultures as far back as the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Hebrews used evergreen trees as a symbol of eternal life. Houses back in the time of the Roman Empire were decorated with evergreen wreaths during the midwinter festival of Saturnalia. The country of Georgia (not to be confused with the American state) in the Caucasus Mountains of Western Asia continues the ancient tradition of decorating trees. “Chichilaki,” as they are called, are fashioned out of hazelnut and walnut branches, and can range from less than a foot to 10-feet tall.
What we would consider modern Christmas trees began emerging in Germany and the Baltic States around the 15th century. They were usually set up in guild halls and decorated with sweets. Later on, upper-class families started to set up similar trees in their homes. This trend would begin to spread across Germany in the next few hundred years.
North America got its first Christmas tree from German soldiers stationed in Canada during the American Revolution. Several cities claim to have hosted the first Christmas tree in the United States. It would not catch on here until 1850 when an image of the royal couple of the United Kingdom with their Christmas tree was republished in the country. The 1870s are when trees became a regular tradition in the United States.
From there, as they say, the rest is history. Christmas trees are now a global phenomenon, along with many other Christmas traditions. They can also be seen in international relations, as several cities and countries gift them to each other in recognition of friendship or sacrifices in war.
This hasn’t been without controversy. Some have challenged whether the Christmas display in Washington, D.C., violates the First Amendment of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has ruled that it does not, saying they serve as secular symbols. With the decline in religious affiliation among Americans as a whole, Christmas trees continue to be prominent. This suggests they are more linked to the holiday than religion particularly.
What’s remarkable is just how long-standing the Christmas tree tradition has become. Unlike many of the come-and-go trends of today, the lengthy history only serves to strengthen it. I, for one, have many fond memories of Christmas trees. Setting them up and decorating them is the basis of many family Christmas experiences. Decorating with ornaments that reference life moments make the tree even more special.
I would hope Christmas trees can continue far into the future. They provide a great symbol of peace and friendship. The bright colors of the lights and decorations make a good contrast to the ice and snow of winter. They serve as the focal point of family celebrations, with presents around the tree ready to be opened by eager recipients.
Bringing people together is what the holidays should be all about. Spending time with our friends and family is what I look forward to this time of year. We can forget our differences, work together as neighbors and share some festive cheer. It’s probably best the holidays come around in one of the coldest and darkest times in the Minnesota seasons; it provides good relief from the weather. I wish everyone a great holiday season this year, no matter how you celebrate. We are all one community, and that’s something we can all get behind.
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
