Christmas Tree Décor: From Past to Present

Trimming Christmas trees is a special tradition that transforms a holiday home into a festive wonderland. The magic of the Christmas tree doesn’t just come from the tree itself, but also from the ornaments and other decorations that adorn it. From candles, lights, and fruits to glass ornaments, each decoration represents a unique piece of holiday history, creativity, and culture. 

The First Christmas Tree Decorations

While the specific details of the history of the Christmas tree are debatable, it’s agreed that the tradition was started in Germany in the 1500s. Many believe that the protestant reformer Martin Luther went for a walk at night and, captivated by the beauty of the stars above the evergreens, strung a tree with candles and placed it in his home for his family to enjoy. The phenomenon soon spread to other families in Germany as they decorated their evergreens with paper roses, candles, apples, nuts, and berries to represent harvest and nature.

The tradition was brought overseas by Germans as they moved to the United States in the 1800s, and Americans belatedly picked up the tradition, decorating their trees with strings of popcorn, paper streamers, and bits of foil to reflect the light of the tree. 

Lasting Christmas Decorations We Still See Today 

Many holiday decorations have stood the test of time, bringing a sense of nostalgia and tradition to our own celebrations year after year. From shimmering tinsel and vintage glass ornaments to beloved nativity scenes, these classic decorations continue to fill our homes with warmth and cheer, connecting generations with shared holiday traditions.

 

The Origins of Christmas Tinsel

While it had a heyday in the 1950s and 1960s, tinsel was first invented in Nuremberg, Germany, around 1610. Back then, it was made from genuine silver that was shredded into thin strips to be placed on the tree. While it is now made from reflective aluminum or mylar, tinsel still sparkles and shines, mimicking the effect of snow and light. 

The History of Candy Canes 

Invented in 1670 in Cologne, Germany, these delicious treats were used to keep children quiet during church services and were shaped like a shepherd’s cane. These iconic white and red striped peppermint candies are now a classic Christmas treat and decorative item. People have been using them to decorate Christmas trees since the mid-1800s, as they conveniently hang onto the evergreen and make it look even more festive. 

When Did People Start Using Artificial Christmas Trees? 

Artificial trees were invented in the late 1800s in Germany and were made of metal and dyed green feathers. The first artificial tree made from plastic was created in the 1930s by the Addis Brush Company, as they found a new purpose for their toilet brushes. 

Today, it’s common for people to use either artificial trees or live trees {or even both}. It is also popular for people to opt for fun-colored artificial Christmas trees. White, pink, and silver shimmering tinsel trees are all add a pop of festivity to your holiday home. 

 

The Origins of Glass Ornaments 

Fruit and nuts were the most popular decorations to hang on Christmas trees, and, in an attempt to create something that wouldn’t spoil, German glassblower Hans Greiner invented glass ornaments shaped like fruit in 1847. They became a wild success and were spread throughout the world by the late 1800s. Nowadays, glass ornaments are a mainstay in Christmas tree decorations – you probably won’t find a Christmas tree decorated without them today {we know ours are!}

There are so many different types of glass ornaments - whether they’re round or shaped like orbs, or fruit, there is an abundance of designs to choose from. To contribute to the legacy of these baubles, we created our own oversized glass ornaments – the first of their kind. 

Christmas Ornament Styles Throughout the Years

The most popular ornament styles and Christmas tree decorations have changed drastically throughout the years. Decorations, when considered by time periods, can tell a story about the culture and people of that time. 

• Early handmade and gathered ornaments (1500s-1600s): Germans first decorated trees with simple items like fruits, nuts, and sweets to symbolize abundance and the harvest season.
• Glassblown ornaments (1800s): Glassblowers in Lauscha, Germany, started crafting glass ornaments in various shapes, like fruits, hearts, and stars, which quickly gained fame as they swept the globe.
• Tinsel and metal ornaments (Late 1800s): Initially made with real silver and precious metals, reflective tinsel and metal trinkets mimic the shimmer of the night sky and snow.
• Electric Christmas lights (1900s): String lights emerged, allowing evergreens to twinkle without the risk of candles; what started as white and gold lights eventually became colorful and patterned.
• Pop culture and novelty ornaments (Mid-1900s): Ornament designs evolved to include iconic characters, themes, and personalized messages to showcase popular culture and individual personalities.
• Vintage and retro ornaments (Late 1900s-2000s): Glass and mercury glass vintage-style ornaments resurged, adding nostalgic Christmas charm to the tree.
• Modern customizable ornaments (2000s-Present): While ornaments of any style can be found, many now feature intricate details and personalized elements and use a variety of materials like wood, metal, glass, and ceramic to cater to diverse themes and celebrate individuals’ stories. 

 

Our Family’s Favorite Christmas Decorating Traditions

 

While the holiday season may look a bit different from year to year, one thing remains constant as a cherished part of our family’s Christmas decorating traditions: trimming our trees with commemorative ornaments from years past and adding new ones as each goes by. We make it a point to celebrate big and small milestones every year by hanging new commemorative ornaments on our tree. 

 

We also make trimming the tree a cherished tradition rather than a task to get done. We love to have a cozy night where we gather the family and decorate the tree. Pulling out our ornaments and putting them on the tree is always a trip down memory lane as we relive our past accomplishments and memories. 

Give the Gift of an Ornament

Nothing says the winter season and end of the year like reflection and celebration. Whether we gift, receive, or buy one for ourselves, commemorative ornaments are a way to reflect on and celebrate all our accomplishments and milestones of the past year.  

We like to commemorate everything - from the small moments that are at risk of being forgotten, to the life-changing ones. These ornaments are categorized by these collections so you can make sure that no memory is forgotten: 

• Babies and Children Ornaments – Made specifically to announce a new baby on the way, celebrate important baby milestones from first tooth to first Christmas, and mark memories that are made as they grow before your eyes.
• Collegiate Ornaments – These are spirit-filled ornaments that help you show off team pride or support for an alma mater or favorite school.
• Family and Friends Ornaments – Help show your loved ones how much you care with an ornament from this collection, whether it’s for the “best aunt ever” or a special surprise for grandparents.
• Holiday Ornaments – Merry and festive, these ornaments fill your holiday home with good tidings of comfort and joy.
• Religious Ornaments –These ornaments are made to communicate your faith and celebrate the reason for the season.
• Wedding and Anniversary Ornaments – Mark every moment of a love story, from engagement to a milestone anniversary with these precious mementos of your commitment to each other. 

P.S.: All the ornaments in our Ornaments Collections are available for personalization. 

 

The History of the Tree Skirt

Tree skirts were first invented in Germany in the 1870s. They were created to catch any wax that the candles on the tree might drip, but as people rarely use real candles on their trees these days, the skirts have become largely decorative. They’re made from all different materials but are traditionally made from a circular fabric. 

Choosing a Tree Skirt

While we, personally, don’t have a tradition when it comes to displaying or choosing a tree skirt, some families pass down special skirts through generations or customize them with names, dates, or holiday messages to create a sentimental keepsake. Tree skirts are a beautiful finishing touch on a Christmas tree and help collect fallen needles and display wrapped gifts. 

Our Favorite Tree Skirt Designs

Your tree skirt should bring joy to your family and enhance the holiday atmosphere; here are our favorite designs: 

• Pine Velvet Christmas Tree Skirt – This design adds sophistication to your tree and textural interest with deep green velvet but keeps the holiday spirit alive with bright red fringe trim. 
• Red Strip Tree Skirt with Pom Poms – Exciting and festive, this colorful skirt brings a touch of fun to your tree and is the perfect backdrop for wrapped presents. 
• Gold Star Tree Skirt – Add shimmer and shine with this skirt featuring gold stars on a crisp white background.
• Flying Santa Tree Skirt – Nothing says Christmas and presents like Santa, and this design is sure to bring holiday cheer as it shows the jolly man himself flying over a colorful, vintage-inspired Christmas village. 

 

Decide Who Puts on the Tree Topper

 

Many families have a tradition of deciding who will put the topper on the trees, finishing the decorating, and signaling the start of the Christmas season. In some families with children, a parent is responsible for topping the tree, while in others, the oldest or the youngest may do it. If you have multiple kids, you might also switch off every year so everyone gets a turn. 

Angel vs. Star on Top of the Tree

Angels or stars have been used to top Christmas trees since the 1600s, with the angel gaining popularity as a topper after the famous “Christmas Tree at Windsor Castle” drawing. The angel tree topper represents angel Gabriel visiting Mary to tell her she was giving birth to the Son of God, or an angel delivering the word of God and protecting members of the household, while the star tree topper symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem guiding the wise men to Jesus in the Christian story of Jesus’ birth. 

Our Favorite Christmas Toppers

Choosing the perfect topper is entirely dependent on your family’s style and traditions. Some of our family choose to put an angel on the top of their tree, while others like to use our beaded star toppers. We will alternate if we have multiple trees and match the tree’s design. 

If you want a more neutral or classic star for your Christmas tree, choose one of our handcrafted silver or gold star tree toppers. If you want to increase your tree’s holiday spirit, place one of our multicolored stars at the top. 

The History of Christmas Garlands

The history of garlands dates back to ancient times, as the Celt, Druid, Norse, and Roman people used these gatherings of evergreen branches and greenery to symbolize eternal life. While, like the Christmas tree, garlands weren’t first accepted because of their pagan affiliation, they soon became a popular Christmas decoration to bring life into homes in the winter. 

Our Favorite Garland Styles

Nowadays, garlands aren’t just greenery. Everything from fruit and nuts to popcorn and pom poms can be used to make festive Christmas garlands. We love to hang our pom pom garland on the mantle to add some fun holiday spirit to our surroundings. If we want to go for something a little bit classier and more glam, we use our gold star garland to take our home to the next level. 

 

The History of Christmas Stockings

 

The tradition of placing stockings on the mantle originated in {surprise, surprise} Germany. It is said that upon hearing of a poor father who could not afford dowries for his daughters, Saint Nicholas filled the drying stockings of the girls with gold coins. 

Since this legend started, people have been hanging their socks and stockings on the fireside in hopes of a visit from St. Nick. Christmas stockings have only gotten bigger over time, to be more of a sock-shaped bag than an actual sock, so that parents can fill their kids’ stockings with extra goodies. 

Stylish Christmas Stockings for the Whole Family

We have many different Christmas stocking styles that are perfect for the whole family. Here are some of our favorites:

• Christmas in the Village Pom Pom Stocking – Nothing says holiday spirit like this brightly colored red knit stocking with festive pom poms. 
• Pine Velvet Stocking – With the jaunty shape of Santa’s elves’ shoes, this green velvet stocking with red fringe brings a classic Christmas look to your mantle. 
• Gold Star Stocking – Chic and merry, this white stocking with gold stars will elevate your fireplace while keeping the festive feel of the season alive. 
• Ecru Buffalo Christmas Stocking – This neutral-colored linen stocking is perfect for a little one in your life and is a great balance between cute and fun. 

Tips for Enhancing Your Christmas Traditions

Making your family’s Christmas traditions extra special can be done with just a little effort. From using the same holiday platter for Santa’s cookies year after year to letting the kiddos pick out their own annual ornament themselves, putting additional thought into your traditions can go a long way. We love these ideas that can help make your holiday super special:

• Use the same festive platter or plate each year to put out cookies for Santa on every Christmas Eve {don’t forget to add personalization for an extra special touch}.
• Set out a special set of Christmas dinner plates year after year so your family can count on the special settings as a Christmas Eve or Christmas staple. 
• Start a tradition of baking Christmas cookies together during the holiday season – or whatever seasonal sweet your family might enjoy. 
• Make garlands that complement your holiday home decorations as a nod to Christmas traditions past.

As you decorate your tree and home this holiday season, take a moment to think about the rich history behind your favorite decorations and the memories they help create. Regardless of how modern your décor is, it is a connection to the past that represents change and tradition. This season, we hope your tree shines bright and pays homage to the timeless spirit of Christmas.