Traditions of the Christmas Tree

Christmas trees were first brought to America by German immigrants

Did you know the Christmas tree tradition dates back to Western Germany in the 16th century? They were called “paradise trees” and were used to celebrate the annual feast of Adam and Eve on December 24.

As early as the 7th century, legend has it that a monk from Germany used the triangular shape of the fir tree as a way to describe the Holy Trinity. The German people began to revere the fir tree and it became a symbol of Christianity. They were actually hung upside-down from the ceiling as a sign of Christianity. (See the ‘side note’ below for an interesting follow-up)

Fir trees were first brought to America by German immigrants about 1700 becoming generally popular around the 1850’s. President Franklin Pierce is credited as having the first White House Christmas tree in 1856 for a group of Washington Sunday school children. Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in 1923. The first Christmas tree lot was established in New York in 1851. Today, Americans purchase approximately 30 million Christmas trees annually.

Side note:

The ancient custom of ‘hanging upside-down Christmas trees resurfaced as the fad for the Christmas season of 2005. Several large retailers including Target, carried ‘upside down’ Christmas trees, priced around $400. Sales were brisk and many retailers sold out. Thankfully this fad was short-lived and the traditional tree, (right-side-up) was king. However, a new fad made ripples one season. The ‘all black’ tree was the rage in some trendy homes and businesses around the country. What will it be next?

About Joe Lamp'l

Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter