When was the first Christmas tree invented?

Answer 1

'Christmas' trees were first used by ancient Germanic tribes at the time of Yule, to represent the renewal of life. This custom was later taken up by the Romans, who kept doing so after the mass conversion to Christianity. The Germans kept practising the tradition until the Americans and British found out about them in 1837. However, the first Christmas tree in England was in 1761, so the custom was known, just not widely practised outside Germany, until Prince Albert erected his at Buckingham Palace in 1837. Answer

The exact origin of the Christmas tree is still being argued about, but it is safe to say that this symbol evolved from Pagan tradition.

The Norse pagans and Celtic Druids revered evergreens as manifestations of deities because they did not die from year to year but stayed green and alive when other plants appeared dead and bare. The trees represented everlasting life and hope for the return of spring.

The druids decorated their trees with symbols of prosperity, a fruitful harvest, coins for wealth and various charms such as those for love or fertility. Scandinavian Pagans are thought to be the first to bring their decorated trees indoors as this provided a warm and welcoming environment for the native fairy folk and tree elementals to join in the festivities. The Saxons, a Germanic pagan tribe, were the first to place lights on the their trees in the form of candles. Ancient Romans decorated their homes with greens at the Festival of Saturnalia, their New Year, and exchanged evergreen branches with friends as a sign of good luck.

In the mid 16th century, Christmas markets were set up in German towns, to provide everything from gifts, food and more practical things such as a knife grinder to sharpen the knife to carve the Christmas Goose! At these fairs, bakers made shaped gingerbreads and wax ornaments for people to buy as souvenirs of the fair, and take home to hang on their Christmas Trees.

In a manuscript dated 1601 a merchant in Strasbourg, Germany wrote that at Christmas, "they set up fir trees in the parlors in Strasbourg and hang thereon roses cut out of paper of many colors, apples, wafers, spangle-gold and sugar. The custom of decorating the trees may have developed from the medieval Paradise Play. This play was a favorite during the Advent season because it ended with the promise of a Saviour. The action in the play centered around a fir tree hung with apples

The earliest date in England for a Christmas Tree was at Queen's Lodge, Windsor by Queen Charlotte, the German born wife of George III, for a party she held on Christmas Day, 1800, for the children of the leading families in Windsor.

The Christmas Tree was made popular in England, by the German Prince Albert, soon after his marriage to Queen Victoria. In 1841, he began the custom of decorating a large tree in Windsor Castle. In 1848, a print showing the Royal couple with their children was published in the Illustrated London News. Albert gave trees to Army barracks and imitation followed. From this time onwards, the popularity of decorated fir trees spread beyond Royal circles and throughout society. Even Charles Dickens referred to the Christmas tree as that 'new German toy'. German immigrants brought the custom to the United States and tree decorating is recorded back to 1747 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

As to the introduction of electric lights on trees, this is credited to a friend of Thomas Edison, Edward Johnson who used electric lights on his tree in 1892.

Answer 2

Worship of the decorated evergreen tree goes way way back. Almost to the beginning.

Earliest accounts say that is was part of Babylonian sun worship by Nimrod and his mother/wife Semiramis. And after Nimrod died, his wife/mother Semiramis claimed that her son/husband came back in an evergreen tree that sprung up overnight (Nimrod's spirit).

The decorated evergreen tree has been worshiped ever since. Here is a biblical account where God condemns the practice: Jeremiah 10:2-4 "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not."

The first evidence of modern decoration of Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.

Answer 3

The first evidence of trees associated with Christmas was when the Brotherhood of Blackheads erected a tree in their guild houses in Riga and Reval (now Tallinn) in Livonia (present day Latvia and Estonia) in in 1441, 1442, 1510 and 1514. A small tree was decorated with sweets to be enjoyed by the apprentices and children who collected the treats on Christmas Day.

Answer 4

back in the fifteen hundreds did people start to put christmas trees in there house. but that was only becuase, people back thenwere told that pie trees were to keep the evil spirits away during the holidays. so they listened and a lot of the people siad they felt as if there was a calmness to thier houses. As if there were angels protecting them. so thats how it all started. and now its just a tradition. a family tradition.

Answer 5

Christmas Trees were introduced into England in l85l- year of the America"s Cup and the issuance of Moby Dick! Prince Albert of England given credit for transplanting this German Custom. Charles Dickens was NOT amused, by the way. Christmas trees do NOT figure in his archetypal Ghost story. Also the song of the title is never identified. Popular idea is it is either Silent Night ( of the democratic sort - easily singable) or God Rest ye Merry gentlemen.-which is of English origin.

Answer 6

The first evidence of trees associated with Christmas was when the Brotherhood of Blackheads erected a tree in their guild houses in Riga and Reval (now Tallinn) in Livonia (present day Latvia and Estonia) in in 1441, 1442, 1510 and 1514. A small tree was decorated with sweets to be enjoyed by the apprentices and children who collected the treats on Christmas Day.

Answer 7

Christmas trees are simply evergreen trees that are decorated for Christmas. Hence, they are made, not discovered.

Answer 8

1990 .

In Germany - several hundred years ago. In Britain - about 170 years ago.