![]() The Romans decorated with wreaths, holly, and garland, while the Celtic Druids hung up mistletoes with white berries as a sign of fertility. ![]() Greenery has been associated with Christmastime since ancient times. They were used by the Christian church to mark each Sunday from the feast day of Saint Andrew (November 30 th) to Christmas Day. Like many holiday traditions, these calendars originated in Germany in the mid to late 19 th century. Advent Calendarsĭo you love chocolate? Mark down the days until Christmas with an advent calendar. A Texas company called Gemmy Industries was the first to create a Christmas inflatable – an 8-foot-tall Santa Claus. Inflatable Christmas Decorationsĭecorate your front yard with giant inflatables! These outdoor Christmas decorations seem to have popped up out of nowhere, but they have actually been around for over 20 years. ![]() He shaped them like canes as a nod to shepherds. As the story goes, a choirmaster in Cologne handed out these sugar sticks to young singers so they’d be quiet during religious ceremonies. The candy cane is an old-fashioned treat that comes from Germany. One of the most popular gifts was nutcrackers, and they’ve since been favorites for the holiday season. Nutcrackersĭuring World War II, Americans stationed in Germany had to buy Christmas gifts from local shops to send back home. The other inspiration is monks in 13th century Germany who made gingerbread cookies known as Lebkuchen. You probably have heard the fairy tale, “Hansel & Gretel.” This German story is part of the reason why we decorate gingerbread houses for the holidays. Edison’s protegee, Edward Johnson, created the first string lights a few years later. He hung the twinkling lights right outside of his laboratory, so passengers on the train outside of his lab could see the display at night. Thomas Edison invented outdoor Christmas lights as a way to show his holiday spirit. Some sources also believe that wreaths were used to countdown the four weeks before Christmas in medieval Germany. WreathsĪncient Romans hung wreaths to celebrate a winter festival known as Saturnalia. Nick filling all the stockings and then rising up the chimney. ![]() Published in 1823, this popular piece references St. You hang a stocking on the fireplace every Christmas because of a poem by Clement Clarke Moore. When Christianity took over in the 16th century, the Germans rebranded the trees as “paradise trees” and decorated them with apples. As a nod to this lore, Germans would set up trees in their homes and decorate them with candles. The story goes that a missionary sacrificed a giant “holy tree” to the god, Thor. Historians aren’t sure where exactly the Christmas tree came from, but most point to pagan traditions in Germany. Here is a fascinating history of some of your favorite Christmas decorations! Christmas Trees Whether it’s hanging a wreath on the front door or threading a string of lights through the tree, there are many ways to celebrate the holidays. This includes lighting up trees, putting wreaths on our door, and drinking way too much eggnog! Who Invented Christmas Decorations? We may not offer dolls, candles, and caged birds to gods in order to live through winter, but many customs from Saturnalia are still found in our Christmas celebrations today. During a pagan festival called Saturnalia, homes were decorated in wreaths and evergreen boughs, and a giant feast was held where gifts were offered to the gods. History of Christmas Decorations Source: When Were Christmas Decorations First Used? Source: Ĭhristmas decorations can be traced back to over 2,500 years ago in ancient Rome. Everyone needed that extra holiday cheer! 2020 In fact, sales on Christmas lights alone were up 194% from the previous year. Spirits were low during the COVID-19 pandemic, but people still put on their face masks and bought more decorations than ever before. Wreaths, gifts, lights in trees, and delicious eggnog were part of a pagan festival known as Saturnalia, which was celebrated in mid-December. Historians believe the Romans were the first to decorate for Christmas. Jump on the Polar Express! This timeline shows you key moments in Christmas decoration history, from ancient Roman feasts to giant celebrations in New York City. History of Christmas Decorations Timeline History of Christmas Trees & Other Décor.So where did this tradition of decorating come from? Celebrate the season by learning the history of Christmas decorations! Santa didn’t come from the North Pole to demand that we make our homes look festive. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Deck the halls with balls of holly, and while you’re at it, hang up other decorations like wreaths, stockings, lights, and ornaments on a fir tree.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |