Styling the trees and decorating with the ornaments, singing carols, hosting guests and exchanging gifts- -these are the things that make Christmas the most waiting holiday of the year. However, have you ever wondered about the origin of Christmas tree, how it came about?
Plants that would stay green during the winter season had a special significance to the people who lived before Christianity. Ancient people in some countries would believe that evergreen plants stood for everlasting life. They would mark the winter solstice –the shortest day and longest night of the year, which will typically fall on December 21 0r December 22 by using evergreens
In Some countries, People believed sun to be a god and winter means that the sun became sick. so they would hang evergreen boughs as a reminder that the summer solstice would return and also to keep witches, ghosts, and evil spirits away.
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees spread from Germany to the UK thanks to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. German-born Albert had often celebrated Christmas with a tree as a youngster and was keen to share this childhood treat with his new wife. Since then the popularity of Christmas trees has reached dizzying heights. The UK goes through around eight million real trees annually, while over 30 million are sold in the United States over the festive season.
Initially, Christmas trees were decorated with edible things, such as gingerbread and gold covered apples. Special small ornaments made by glass makers similar to some of the decorations used today. Nowadays trees are decorated with lights, tinsel and baubles – and even some homemade decorations too!
Most common trees sold in Scotland are the Nordman Fir, Norway spruce, and the lodgepole pine. Each tree has its own distinctive features, from its smell and shape to the texture of needles and sturdiness of the branches.
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