The Christmas Tree

THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

We know why we display the nativity scene, but why do we put up a Christmas tree?

Medieval Germans used trees and plants to liven up their houses during the dark and cold Christmases. As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the Christians absorbed this tradition. They connected Adam and Eve´s tree with the Christmas tree and started to decorate them with apples and later, with nuts and candies. In 1848, the Queen of England, Queen Victoria, asked her German husband to put up a traditional Christmas tree from his childhood. Queen Victoria was very popular and all the things that she did, people who wanted to do. When the people saw her big and beautifully decorated tree they wanted to do the same. This popular trend spread to America and Americans and the English started to compete to have the best Christmas tree. The tradition continued to grow in popularity and this year there will be one hundred million Christmas trees worldwide.

Written by Almudena Gallego

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Berlin, Germany

Madrid, Spain

Paris, France