| Nothing is quite as comparable to the joy | | | | tree decoration with them. However, added to |
| experienced by a family getting together to | | | | the mix of European food items were popcorn, |
| enjoy the Christmas holidays. Baking cookies | | | | cranberries and festively colored |
| together, watching that favorite traditional | | | | decorations. Eventually, adding to the items |
| Christmas movie and, of course, trimming the | | | | that helped to trim the tree, were glass |
| tree. | | | | ornaments that were made and popularized in |
| | | | Germany and eventually exported to other |
| For most families the Christmas tree | | | | countries. |
| decoration is retrieved from their yearly | | | | |
| storage area and brought out immediately | | | | With the discovery of electricity in the |
| following Thanksgiving. The families that own | | | | latter part of the 19th century, it was a |
| an artificial tree generally display their | | | | natural progression that electrical lighting |
| tree right away while those opting for a live | | | | would be a part of the Christmas tree |
| tree shop for that special tree as soon as | | | | decoration. |
| possible. | | | | |
| | | | Christmas Tree Decorations Today |
| As the tree decoration boxes are unpacked | | | | |
| many memories are experienced as each | | | | Christmas decorations of today have changed |
| decoration has a special meaning or even | | | | considerably. The ornaments are wonderfully |
| represented that of a special Christmas | | | | decorated and highlighted with glimmering |
| memory. Christmas decorations such as the | | | | colors. Often the decorations are non-edible, |
| babys first Christmas or that ornament that | | | | but may sometimes reflect the original use |
| has the kindergarten picture of your child or | | | | and idea of trimming the tree with fruit and |
| that special adornment to the tree that | | | | candy. For example candy canes may hang from |
| represents the love between you and that | | | | the branch of a tree. However, these candy |
| special someone. | | | | canes are not real, but merely an artificial |
| | | | representation that is outlined with lights. |
| The History of the Christmas Tree Decoration | | | | These artificial candy canes add to the |
| | | | decorative mix. |
| Early day Christmas decorations were food | | | | |
| items that adorned the trees. Some of these | | | | The lights, as part of the decoration now |
| items included little pastries, apples, and | | | | twinkle as well as giving the appearance of |
| other sweets. The tradition was to eat these | | | | moving or running around the tree. |
| tree decorations following the celebration of | | | | |
| Christmas. Items that could not be eaten were | | | | Despite the fact that the decorations of |
| eventually added to the mix. Tradition states | | | | today have changed in style and the materials |
| that Martin Luther was the first individual | | | | used, the one simple fact remains. That fact |
| to attach non-edible items by placing candles | | | | is that Christmas tree decorations are still |
| upon his Christmas tree. | | | | an integral part of the Christmas holiday |
| | | | that symbolizes and reflects the familys |
| As families immigrated to America they | | | | celebration of their faith. |
| brought their traditional type of Christmas | | | | |