The tradition of having a Christmas tree at home it one thing that any family does each December. The tree is bought and then the entire family helps in decorating it. Gifts are placed under the tree and on Christmas morning, the family sits around the tree opening the presents with joy and anticipation. Truly, a moment to be cherished! However, have you stopped for a moment and thought about where the practice of having a Christmas tree comes from?

Some people believe that the practice comes from the ancient Egyptians, while there are others who give credit to Martin Luther, and there are still others who believe that Saint Boniface should get the credit for it. In all probability, however, the practice of having a Christmas tree may be a blend of all the existing myths.

During the seventeenth century, the Germans used to have an evergreen tree in their homes that they used to decorate during Christmas time. However, evergreens were rare in Germany, so many people used to use a wooden structure instead and then decorate it with ornaments and fresh sprigs.

The tradition of having Christmas tree in English homes started during the time of Prince Albert in the year 1841. It was in this year that the prince showed his guests a Christmas tree decorated with gingerbread, candles and fruits. Coincidentally, it was during this time that Germans were migrating to the US and they were responsible for bringing their age-old tradition to America. However, the concept of having a Christmas tree did not become popular for nearly forty years as many viewed it as a pagan tradition.

The Egyptians too have their hand in this tradition. In ancient Egypt, at the start of the winter solstice, the Egyptians used to bring the leaves of date palm trees into their homes. This was a symbol of life winning over death.

Similarly, there are several legends and myths about how evergreen trees were decorated in ancient times. All these myths have a role to play in modern day. Many of the ancient cultures believed that evergreen trees used to symbolize life and were revered during the cold winter months when life came to a standstill. So, all the myths and legends are responsible for the modern-day tradition of having a Christmas tree at home.

Kum Martin is an online leading expert in history and education. He also offers top quality articles like:
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