Tree Decorating

Tree decorating or trimming the Christmas tree is a tradition that dates back over four hundred years. Here are some decorating traditions from around the globe.

Tree Decorating Around the World

Canada

German settlers to Canada brought with them many Christmas things we cherish today: Christmas trees, Advent calendars, cookies and gingerbread houses.
Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, put up a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1848. Christmas trees soon became a tradition throughout England, the United States, and Canada.

Mexico

In most Mexican homes the Nativity scene is the main decoration. However, a decorated Christmas tree may be set up.

Purchasing a tree is a luxury most families cannot afford so they collect a bare branch or a small shrub from the countryside and decorate it.

Greenland

Christmas trees are imported and decorated with candles and bright ornaments. It's too cold for trees to grown that far North.

Guatemala

The Christmas tree has joined the Nativity scene as a popular decor because of the large German population in Guatemala. Parents and adults exchange gifts on New Years' Day. Children get their gifts on Christmas morning.

Brazil

Christmas falls during the summer. Pine trees are decorated with pieces of cotton to represent snow.

Ireland

Christmas trees are decorated with colored lights, tinsel, and baubles. Angels or stars are used to top the tree. Houses are decked out with candles, garlands, holly, and ivy. Wreaths are hung on doors.

Sweden

Christmas trees are bought before Christmas Eve but are not decorated until a few days before Christmas. Christmas trees are decorated with straw ornaments shaped like stars, sunbursts, and snowflakes. Colorful wooden animals and straw based centerpieces are used around the room.

Norway

On Christmas Eve the parents decorate the tree in secret. Dinner is served and then the lighted tree is revealed. The family members join hands and sing carols while walking around the tree. Gifts are then exchanged.

Spain

A popular Christmas custom is Catalonia, it is like the pinata game except a tree trunk is used. The tree trunk is filled with hazel nuts, almonds, toffee, and other treats. The children hit the trunk to get the goodies out.

Italy

In Italy, the manger is the center of Christmas for families. The manger figurines are hand-carved and very detailed in features and dress. The scene is often set out in the shape of a triangle. It provides the base of a pyramid-like structure called the ceppo. This is a wooden frame arranged to make a pyramid several feet high. Several tiers of thin shelves are supported by this frame. It is entirely decorated with colored paper, gilt pine cones, and miniature colored pennants. Small candles are fastened to the tapering sides. A star or small doll is hung at the apex of the triangular sides. The shelves above the manger scene have small gifts of fruit, candy, and presents. The ceppo is in the old Tree of Light tradition which became the Christmas tree in other countries. Some houses even have a ceppo for each child in the family.

Germany

Many Christmas traditions practiced today started in Germany.

It has been long thought that Martin Luther began the tradition of bringing a fir tree into the home. According to one legend, late one evening Martin Luther was walking home through the woods and noticed how beautifully the stars shone through the trees. He wanted to share the beauty with his wife so he cut down a fir tree and took it home. Once inside he placed small lighted candles on the branches and said that it would be a symbol of the beautiful Christmas sky. Hence, the Christmas tree.

Today, the Christmas tree is decorated in secret with lights, tinsel, and ornaments by the mother and is lit and revealed on Christmas Eve with cookies, nuts, and gifts under its branches.

South Africa Tree Decorating

Christmas is a summer holiday in South Africa. Although Christmas trees are not common, windows are often draped with sparkling cotton wool and tinsel.

Saudi Arabia

Christian Americans, Europeans, Indians, Filipinos, and others living here have to celebrate Christmas privately in their homes. Christmas lights are generally not tolerated. Most families place their Christmas trees somewhere inconspicuous.

Philippines

Fresh pine trees are a luxury, so colorful handmade trees are often used. Star lanterns called parols, are made from bamboo sticks and covered with brightly colored rice paper. The star lanterns represent the Star of Bethlehem. Families will put on in every window of their house.

China Tree Decorating

Of the small percentage of Chinese who do celebrate Christmas, most erect artificial trees decorated with spangles and paper chains, flowers, and lanterns. Christmas trees are called "trees of light."

Japan

Christmas trees are decorated with small toys, dolls, paper ornaments, gold paper fans and lanterns, and wind chimes. One of the most popular ornaments is the origami swan, the "birds of peace".

Christmas Tree Decorating Resouces Adapted from The History Channel website at
History Channel

Return to Christmas Fun

Return To Home Page From Tree Decorating

ADD TO YOUR SOCIAL BOOKMARKS: