It is in the same manner every year in December that families come together to take out their boxes filled with precious decorations. The moment of simply hanging up such things is filled with nostalgia, yet very few people actually think of the origin of this worldwide custom. To put it simply, Christmas ornaments have undergone great changes as they have turned from mere natural elements into fancy ornaments that we proudly display nowadays.
A Tradition Rooted in Nature
The practice of decorating tree stems dates back to the 16th century in Germany. At the very start, real apples were used as a representation of the fruit that came from the Garden of Eden, along with nuts and gingerbread cookies. People then placed candles on the branches to signify the light of the stars. Besides the fact that it was pretty, there was a huge danger of fire.
The Victorian Influence
In the 1840s, decoration underwent a drastic change when an image of the tree decorated by Queen Victoria was made public. This picture touched the hearts of many all over the world. In order to fulfill the orders, German glassmakers in Lauscha started creating glass “kugels” (balls). At once, it was considered the true standard of elegance to have magnificent glass Christmas baubles, which led to large-scale production spreading all over Europe and America.
Modern Materials and Meaning
Injection molding and sturdy plastics were introduced in the 20th century, which made it possible and safe for everybody to have ornaments. Nowadays, Christmas ornaments are not only festive decorations, but they can also be little history books. A “Baby’s First Christmas” bauble or a handmade item from the school can be some of the very illustrative examples here. Hence, a fir tree becomes covered to be a family album of sorts.
Keeping the Spirit Alive
Decorating is a way of bonding. By hanging up Cristmas ornaments, we not only celebrate the occasion, but also connect to the long and rich history of the whole world. While you are fixing each ornament to the branch nowadays, remember there is a whole age of craftsmanship behind your Christmas centerpiece.
