Christmas Tree

Kinds of Christmas tree

We can't imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree. There are many types of Christmas trees to choose from, for example, fir trees, pine trees, spruce. They can be fresh-cut, potted or artificial and used as both indoor and outdoor decoration.

Why do we decorate Christmas trees?

In many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illnesses.

History

The history of the Christmas tree goes back to the symbolic use of evergreens in Ancient Egypt and Rome. But it is Germany credited with the Christmas tree tradition which started in the 16th century. One rumour says that it was Martin Luther who brought the Christmas tree home and added light candles to it. In 1846, Queen Victoria and prince Albert were sketched in the illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Then the Christmas tree popularity was on the rise in English-speaking countries. It was noted that Europeans used small trees, while Americans liked their trees to reach from the floor to the ceiling.

Ornaments

The first ornaments were apples, nuts, marzipan cookies and handmade ornaments. Later people used coloured lights, tinsel and glass baubles.

Slovak Christmas Tree

Christmas trees in Slovakia are decorated before the Christmas Eve (December 24). People spend time preparing home-made ornaments, or they use tinsel, coloured lights, glass balls and glass ornaments. The Slovak Republic makes traditional glass ornaments and import them to different parts of the world.

Romanian Christmas Tree

It is December 24 when people decorate the Christmas tree using tingles, Christmas globes, candies, handmade decorations, and small coloured lights while singing Christmas carols. 

German Christmas Tree 

Traditional Christmas trees were decorated by hand-made ornaments. Now, Germans are now using more "electric candles" as tree decoration. Germany is also credited with the invention of glass ornaments, which have been used as Christmas tree decorations for many years. Germans also use tinsel to make the tree more sparkly.