The Origin of the Christmas Tree

Our generation has always known the traditional Christmas tree that reigns in our living rooms during the Holidays. Bright, sparkling, and spectacular, the Christmas tree is the icon of this joyous time of the year.

The tradition of cutting down a tree, decorating it, and hiding presents under its branch began in Europe during the 7th Century, when the Alsatians used to decorate their homes with fir branches three days before Christmas. However, the symbolic cutting of the tree appeared much later. In fact, it was in 1546 that the City of Sélestat authorized its inhabitants to cut down a fir tree on December 21st. This is the birth of the Christmas tree tradition

At that time, the Alsatian Christmas tree represented the Garden of Eden and it was only installed in artistic headquarters. Not until the 18th Century did the first cut trees begin to be placed inside homes, starting a tradition that spread across Europe and, a century later, across North America.

Today, some families decorate their tree more than a month before Christmas, while others prefer to wait until Christmas Eve. One way or the other, the tradition is still very much alive. Decorating the Christmas tree is still just as magical as it has always been, and will continue to be for many years to come…