Christmas Decorations: A Historical and Cultural Analysis

Putting up a Christmas tree and decorating it is a universally loved holiday ritual. Each year at Christmas, families join together to unpack the attic and decorate the tree with handmade ornaments that have special meaning. These experiences are the foundation for many rituals that are carried on from one generation to the next. But how did ornaments become such an integral part of the Christmas season?

The History of Christmas Ornaments

As the leaves dropped off the trees in Germany, the people there started decorating them with fruits and nuts to represent the hope of spring. The first ever indoor Christmas tree was decorated with paper flowers, candles, nuts, and fruits in 1605. In Germany, the custom of decorating a tree inside quickly gained popularity. German immigrants brought the practice to the United States in the 19th century, where it quickly caught on with the local populace. Early ornaments were made from a wide variety of materials, including fruit (especially apples), nuts, strings of popcorn and cranberries, paper streamers, candles, and metal foil. They came to display the creativity of the United States.

It's interesting to note that the concept of decorating a tree with lights predates the advent of Christmas lights. Bits of foil were often added to make the tree sparkle in the ambient light.

Classic Ball ornaments

You've definitely come across those packages of plastic balls used to adorn Christmas trees. They originated in Germany as well. Hans Greiner, a German producer of Christmas decorations, started making glass balls (sometimes called baubles) in the 1800s. The entrepreneurial F.W. Woolworth introduced the concept to the United States in the late 19th century, and he eventually made $25 million a year off of it. Injection molding (the process of injecting molten material into a mold) was first used with plastics, allowing for a broader range of forms and sizes to be produced.

Fun Fact: Fruits and nuts were the initial decorating materials, which is where the bauble form came from.

The Christmas Star

Do you know the religious significance of the Christmas star you see on top of trees and draped from branches? The three wise men spotted a mysterious light in the sky and followed it to the stable where Jesus was born. The Magi followed the star to the stable where Jesus was born, where they presented him with gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. The Christmas tree star represents the original Star of Bethlehem and serves as a symbol of celebration and remembrance. Despite the everyday use of the term "three kings," it is essential to note that the wise men were not royalty. Instead, they were regarded highly and equivalent to astrologers who studied star patterns.

Candy Canes

As well as hanging on the tree, candy canes are a staple in our holiday stockings. The candy cane also has its origins in Germany around the time of Christmas (1670). The "J"-shaped candy represented the crooks of the shepherds' staffs when they came to see infant Jesus, and it was created so that children would stay seated during Christmas services. The peppermint taste and red stripes both appeared around the year 1900. The peppermint flavor resembles the hyssop plant mentioned in the Bible, and the crimson stripes symbolize the blood of Jesus Christ. Sugar sticks without any added flavor or coloring were the original candy canes.

Angels

Beautiful angels, often made of metal and decorated with stones, glass, and jewels, are popular for tree topper ornaments. These, too, have overtones of sacred significance. They may symbolize angels in general, the archangel who arrived in Bethlehem to herald Jesus' birth, or the angel Gabriel, who informed Mary she would give birth to Jesus.

A fun fact is that when Christmas trees first became popular, parents would decorate them with streamers and tell their children that the streamers were strands of angel hair that had gotten entangled in the tree's branches.

The Christmas Pickle

One of the most peculiar customs surrounding the holiday season is the Christmas pickle. It was first played by children in the late 19th century and was developed by their parents. They went out and purchased a glass pickle ornament, concealed it among the branches of the tree so that it would blend in, and then sent the children on a treasure hunt. The first one to locate the pickle received a bonus.

The German government has denied any knowledge of this alleged custom. It was likely conceived by a salesperson eager to boost his commissions by coming up with novel ways to market ornaments.

Modern Usage of Christmas Ornaments

These days, a family's Christmas tree ornaments often reflect the members' unique personalities and passions. Many people save ornaments they've found on their travels as keepsakes to remind them of particular times and places. Others choose to commemorate special occasions by purchasing ornaments with the relevant year etched or embossed. As a result, ornaments featuring popular culture icons, pastimes, musical artists, favored hues, and other personal identifiers have become in demand.

Themed Christmas trees are a recent development that is gaining popularity. Trees decorated with anything from seashells and sand dollars to mercury glass and pastels, movie figures and symbols, and pine cones and wild creatures are all available. They're starting to become symbols of a family's own personality and tastes.