History of Christmas trees
History of Christmas trees
Christmas trees have a very long history, though the practice of bringing trees inside and decorating them is more recent.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Today, most people associate a decorated evergreen tree with Christmas. Yet, historically, such trees were meant as more than just decorative pieces. Long ago, people used to decorate trees with delicious treats that normally didn't belong to their everyday diets. The evergreen bough is an old custom, something akin to a maypole. Christmas trees were mentioned for the first time in the mid-16th century in Alsace. In a document there authorities express their concern about evergreen tree stocks. At that time Christmas trees were not commonly stood in the living quarters of private households, they instead hung them from the ceiling to save space.
FELICITAS HOPTNER: "It started with people bringing evergreen trees into their living rooms. It is a symbol of life, which is scarce in the cold and meager months of the year."
NARRATOR: In the 17th century the church branded the custom of bringing evergreen trees into the home a heathen custom, yet people continued to do so. The nobility was first in line to exploit the opportunity to showcase their riches. Austrian Empress Elisabeth even put up a tree for each of her children in the imperial salon. Christmas tree decorations were a luxury far too expensive for all but the high society - everything handmade.
HOPTNER: "1831 is the first year in which we can say Christmas tree baubles made of glass were available for purchase."
NARRATOR: When tinsel was first produced it was a meter long. And, even today, Christmas decoration producers have continued to adjust to modern fashions. And this has given rise to some odd creations.
HOPTNER: "In America it is relatively common for people to hang a glass cucumber on their tree. The first person to spot the cucumber when they come down to open presents either gets to open their presents first while the others wait until they're done, or they get an extra gift."
NARRATOR: This custom still has yet to catch on in Europe.
FELICITAS HOPTNER: "It started with people bringing evergreen trees into their living rooms. It is a symbol of life, which is scarce in the cold and meager months of the year."
NARRATOR: In the 17th century the church branded the custom of bringing evergreen trees into the home a heathen custom, yet people continued to do so. The nobility was first in line to exploit the opportunity to showcase their riches. Austrian Empress Elisabeth even put up a tree for each of her children in the imperial salon. Christmas tree decorations were a luxury far too expensive for all but the high society - everything handmade.
HOPTNER: "1831 is the first year in which we can say Christmas tree baubles made of glass were available for purchase."
NARRATOR: When tinsel was first produced it was a meter long. And, even today, Christmas decoration producers have continued to adjust to modern fashions. And this has given rise to some odd creations.
HOPTNER: "In America it is relatively common for people to hang a glass cucumber on their tree. The first person to spot the cucumber when they come down to open presents either gets to open their presents first while the others wait until they're done, or they get an extra gift."
NARRATOR: This custom still has yet to catch on in Europe.