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The History of Christmas Trees
In
Germany, the first Christmas Trees were decorated with edible things,
such as gingerbread and gold covered apples. Then glass makers made
special small ornaments similar to some of the decorations used
today. In 1605 an unknown German wrote: "At Christmas they set
up fir trees in the parlours of Strasbourg and hang thereon roses cut
out of many-coloured paper, apples, wafers, gold foil, sweets, etc."
At
first, a figure of the Baby Jesus was put on the top of the tree.
Over time it changed to an angel/fairy that told the shepherds about
Jesus, or a star like the Wise men saw.
The
first Christmas Trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s. They
became very popular in 1841, when Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's
German husband) had a Christmas Tree set up in Windsor Castle. In
1848, drawing of "The Queen's Christmas tree at Windsor Castle"
was published in the Illustrated London News, 1848. The drawing was
republished in Godey's Lady's Book, Philadelphia in December 1850
(but they removed the Queen's crown and Prince Albert's moustache to
make it look 'American'!).
The
publication of the drawing helped Christmas Trees become popular in
the UK and USA.
In
Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with candles to
represent stars. In many parts of Europe, candles are still widely
used to decorate Christmas trees.
Tinsel
was also created in Germany, were it was originally made from thin
strips of beaten silver. But when plastic/man made tinsel was
invented it became very popular as it was much cheaper than real
silver and also lighter to go on the tree!
One
legend says that the Christ Child first made tinsel by turning
spider's webs into silver after taking pity on a poor family that
couldn't afford any decorations for their Christmas Tree!
Because
of the danger of fire, in 1895 Ralph Morris, an American telephonist,
invented the first electric Christmas lights, similar to the ones we
use today.
In
1885 a hospital in Chicago burned down because of candles on a
Christmas Tree! And in 1908 insurance companies in the USA tried to
get a law made that would ban candles from being used on Christmas
Trees because of the many fires they had caused! So we have to say a
big thank you to Ralph Morris for making Christmas safer!
My brain tried to read your first line as, "The first Christmas trees were edible." I can't imagine they wouldn't still be if they ever were!
ReplyDeleteYeah edible I don't think so
DeleteInteresting about the Christmas Tree....thanks Jo-Anne.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome
DeleteMerry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHi Sir
ReplyDeletei really liked this article soon i will be sharing it on my facebook profile.
You did with your level best and I advise you being my colleague to take every comment and suggestion especially the critical one very patiently and with open heart. When you try such strictly monitored topics you equally receive criticism so just receive it and take all the positive points from it.
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Hrithk Naik
Hi
ReplyDeletei really liked this article Made a New Year’s resolution to work out soon i will be sharing it on my facebook profile.
You did with your level best and I advise you being my colleague to take every comment and suggestion especially the critical one very patiently and with open heart. When you try such strictly monitored topics you equally receive criticism so just receive it and take all
the positive points from it.
IPL live score 2016
IPL Rajkot Squad 2016
thanking you
Keep up your good work!
Happy NEW Year 2016 to you and your Family