#1 - Trees in ancient times

In ancient times, plants that remained green all year symbolized life in the midst of winter to many people. They were commonly used to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits.

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#2 - Christmas in Germany

The Christmas tree tradition we know today began in Germany in the 16th century. Christians brought decorated trees into their homes and decorated them with gingerbread, nuts and apples.

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#3 - The first tree inside

There is an old tale that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, was the first to bring a tree into the house and add candles.

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#4 - The first tree inside

He was walking home one evening and saw stars shining through the evergreen branches. He wanted to show the spectacle to his family and setup a tree in the main room and decorated its branches with lit candles.

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#5 - Arriving in the Americas

The Christmas tree tradition caught on rather late to the Americas. They believed Christmas was sacred and in some places even banned “heathen traditions” such as Christmas carols and decorated trees.

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#6 - The royal family

A breakthrough happened in 1846 when the royal family was shown around a Christmas tree. This popularized Christmas trees and the Christmas tree tradition even as far as the Americas.

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#7 - Trees become popular

By the 1890’s Christmas tree popularity was on the rise in the U.S. Americans used homemade ornaments, while German-Americans continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Popcorn later joined interlaced with berries and nuts.

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#8 - First electric bulbs

With the very recent invention of electricity, one of Edisons associates put together the very first string of electric Christmas lights in 1882.

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#9 - An American tradition

The Christmas tree had become an American tradition.

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