We take a look at how and where the Christmas tree tradition started
In the UK the Christmas tree was first introduced in 1800 by the wife of King George III, Queen Charlotte, who brought the tradition from her native Germany, where it was common custom to have a yew tree in your home. She requested a yew tree be brought to Queen’s Lodge in Windsor, which she decorated herself.
So you could say the Germans invented the Christmas tree.
Germany’s history with the Christmas tree dates back to medieval times, when a fir tree known as a ‘Paradise tree’ was hung with apples to represent Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
By the time of Queen Charlotte’s death in 1818, Christmas trees were a popular British festive tradition. Victorian Christmas trees were decorated with candles, sweets, dried fruit and strands of popcorn. Ornaments were home-made from pine cones, tin, fabric, straw and paper. Tinsel, it may surprise you to know, was originally made from thin strips of beaten silver. However, as it tarnished easily, it was soon phased out for other metals. The first manufactured tree decorations were sold in Woolworths in 1860.
The Christmas tree also inspired a popular Christmas carol ‘O Christmas Tree‘
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