What Are the Origins of the Christmas Tree Tradition?

Every December, homes and public places are adorned with Christmas trees, sparking a festive spirit. This tradition, integral to holiday celebrations, has a rich history that dates back centuries.

But where did the idea of decorating a tree for Christmas originate? 

Ancient Pagan Traditions

Long ago, people in Norse mythology saw the tree as a symbol of life and renewal. During the winter solstice, they decorated trees with wheat, flowers, and dried fruits to celebrate. Ancient Egyptians, Hebrews, and Romans also had their own ways of honoring trees during special times of the year.

Claims from Latvia and Estonia

Both Latvia and Estonia say they were the first to have a decorated Christmas tree. Historians in Estonia believe that in 1441, a tree was set up and decorated in Tallinn’s Town Hall Square by a merchants’ group called the House of Blackheads. Latvia claims that in 1510, the same group decorated a tree in Riga’s Town Hall Square and later burned it. However, some experts think these events were not related to Christmas.

Origins in Germany

The Christmas tree as we know it today likely started in the 16th century in Alsace, which was then part of Germany. Strasbourg, a city in Alsace, had a fir tree in front of its cathedral in 1539. By 1554, cutting down trees for Christmas became so common that the city of Fribourg made laws to prevent it.

Martin Luther’s Influence

Legend says that Martin Luther, a church reformer, was the first to put candles on a Christmas tree. Inspired by stars shining through the branches of a fir tree one Christmas Eve, he brought a tree into his home and decorated it with candles to show his family the beauty of the stars at night.

Spread Across Europe

The Christmas tree tradition spread throughout Germany in the 16th century and later to other parts of Europe through German immigrants. By the 18th century, it was popular across the continent.

British Royal Family Adoption

The Christmas tree was introduced to the British royal family in the 18th century by Queen Charlotte, a German princess married to King George III. Her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, helped make the tradition very popular. A picture of her family around a Christmas tree, published in 1848, fascinated people all over the world and helped spread the tradition globally.

Coming to America

The tradition of the Christmas tree came to America in the late 18th century with German soldiers who were helping the British during the American Revolutionary War. It became a key part of Christmas celebrations in the United States.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

The tradition of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree started in 1933 in New York City. This tree is lit every year in a big ceremony that is shown on TV across the United States, making it one of the most famous Christmas trees in the country.