Each American family seems to have their own Christmas tree tradition. Some decorate the tree with a hodgepodge of ornaments acquired through the years while some have a specific color and ornament scheme. Some families like the ease and convenience of an artificial tree while others prefer the tradition and smell of a real tree. But, did you know that there are different Christmas tree traditions throughout the world?
Most think that we got the custom of the Christmas tree from the Germans. It is believed that Martin Luther was the first to bring a Christmas tree into the home. He brought in a fir tree then decorated it with candles to celebrate the season.
In Great Britain, the traditional tree to use is the Norway spruce. Homes in Brazil usually use pine trees. Just a FYI – Christmas falls during the summer in Brazil! There are no trees in Greenland, so they must be imported for Christmas. Many Swedes buy their Christmas tree before Christmas, but leave it outside until just a few days before the big day. Then, they decorate their evergreens with stars, sunbursts, wooden animals, and snowflakes.
The Japanese often decorate their Christmas trees with origami swans, small toys, gold paper fans, lanterns, and wind chimes. In China, the trees are referred to as “trees of light,” and are decorated with paper chains, flowers, and lanterns. Because pine trees are expensive in the Philippines, many people make handmade trees. These trees, made of bamboo sticks, are then covered with colored rice paper.
In Spain, the trunk of the tree is filled with treats such as hazel nuts, almonds, and toffee. In a tradition known as Catalonia, children hit the trunk to knock out the treats.
The tradition of the Christmas tree was not known to the Norwegians until the late 19th century, when the Germans brought it over. They usually select their Christmas tree from the woods, and then the parents decorate it on Christmas Eve, while the children wait in anticipation.
What is your family Christmas tree tradition?