such as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City. Each year

Throughout the history of Christmas trees, the significance of bringing a living tree into the home symbolizes the continuation of life throughout the cold and dark winter. The universal popularity of evergreens has spread rapidly through all cultures, such that the holidays have become a human festival as well as a Christian festival. The primary decoration for Christmas trees is light, as most cultures commonly celebrate light prevailing over darkness and life over death.

The custom of erecting a Christmas tree can be traced back to 16th century Germany, though neither an inventor nor a single town can be identified as the sole origin of the tradition. The earliest known use of a pine tree that was decorated for Christmas was in 1521 in the region of Alsace, Germany. From this single moment in time, the rapid spread of the tradition was witnessed throughout Germany and eventually the world.

The first mention of a Christmas tree being used by a church was at the Cathedral of Strasbourg in 1539. During this period, guilds began to erect Christmas trees in front of their guildhalls and were decorated with apples, nuts, dates, pretzels, and paper flowers. In some accounts, Martin Luther is credited with adding lights and decorations to fir branches traditionally hung from ceilings.

By the early 18th century, the custom of Christmas trees had spread to the major towns of the upper Rhineland. It was regarded as a Protestant custom by the Roman Catholic majority. Just like Christmas, the Christmas tree was adopted by the Roman Catholic Church because it could not prevent its use.

In the early 19th century, the custom became popular among nobility and spread throughout Europeas far as Russia. In 1816, the Christmas tree was introduced to Vienna by Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg. In France, the first Christmas tree was introduced in 1840 by the Duchesse dOrleans. In Britain, the tradition first became popular with the royal family and was first mentioned by a thirteen-year-old Queen Victoria in her journal. The custom became more widespread after her marriage to German cousin, Prince Albert. Numerous cities in the United States with German connections lay claim to the countrys first Christmas tree, dating back to 1777.

Within the current U.S. scope of the tradition, the Christmas tree can be erected any place and at any time. Many cities, towns, and department stores put up public trees outdoors, such as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City. Each year, Christmas trees are being put up much earlier in shopsoften as early as late October. However, some households in the U.S. do not put up the tree until the second week of December and leave it up until January 6.

Nothing feels or smells quite like Christmas more than a beautiful, fresh Christmas tree in your home. The life and love it will bring to the whole family throughout the cold and darkness of winter will warm up the soul. Give Santa and your family a wonderful spot to put presents this year when you order your fresh, real Christmas tree online. ChristmasFarms grows a vast assortment of fresh Christmas trees, catering to your familys preference. Choose a Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, White Pine, or Blue Spruce tree for your holiday celebrations today! All you have to do is pick your species, preferred tree height, and date you would like your tree delivered. Our trees are delivered straight to your door via UPS. All you have to do is unwrap and decorate!