I love Christmas trees! However, I am conflicted. To chop down a glorious 6-7 year old noble fir for the greedy gratification of adornment for of a few weeks seems wasteful, indulgent and overall not very ‘green’. I know artificial trees can be equally as beautiful but I love the smell of a fresh evergreen. As a child I would lay next to our Christmas tree for hours and watch the lights twinkle and dance across the ceiling, the smell of the pine with the sound and warmth of a fire in the fireplace, did I mention we didn’t have a TV? This was a favorite place to daydream. We did burn our tree, so at least it served a second purpose and not just discarded to the curb. Which always seems like a gruel ending after an exalted few weeks. And if you have never burned a Christmas tree, they make fabulous kindling. FYI wrapping paper is also fun to burn, it blazes into magnificent colors, but most likely horrible for the environment.
Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree traditions, as we now know them. Hence the hideous holiday carol “O Tannenbaum”, German for Christmas tree. If this song is a favorite of yours, I apologize. I have always found it repetitious with a rather dressing melody.
Somewhere in the 16th century is when devout European Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. It is believed that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, was the first to add lighted candles to a tree. (That seems safe. Sarcasm.) Inspired while walking home one winter evening, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens.
Early Americans found Christmas trees peculiar. Even as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans. Squashing the heathen traditions of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated that sacred event were in some places in America enforced by law. Can you imagine criminal charges for having a Christmas tree? Things have changed a lot in America!
However in 1846, popular British royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, (think Kate and William in People Magazine) were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects and what was done at court immediately became fashionable, not only in Britain, but also with fashion-conscious East Coast American Society. Voila, the Christmas tree had arrived.
Europeans generally use small trees about four feet in height, while Americans like Christmas trees that reach the ceiling. We have always liked things bigger in America.
Electricity brought about Christmas lights~ early 1900s. With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
This ‘holiday’ tree is by no means traditional, it will not infuse the room with the scent of pine, but I would happily display it in my home Mr. Louboutin if you would like to supply the raw materials.
Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel all that and more—peace on earth and good will towards men… falalalalalalalala….
Laura
