A beautifully decorated evergreen tree, with coloured lights ablaze inspires in many warm memories of Christmases long past. The Christmas tree has become one of the most beloved and well-known holiday symbols. The tradition of a holiday tree has been around since ancient times and has played an important part in winter celebrations for many centuries.  Druids of ancient England and France decorated Oak trees with fruit and candles to honour their gods of the Harvests.

The use of a Christmas tree indoors appears to have begun in Germany. German Christians would bring trees into their homes to decorate. In some areas evergreen trees were scarce so the families would build a Christmas pyramid, simple wooden structures, which they decorated with branches and candles.

 The tradition of the Christmas tree eventually spread through out Europe. The English Royalty help popularise the tree in England by decorating      the first Christmas tree at Windsor Castle in 1841. Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, decorated the first English Christmas Tree with candles, candies, fruits, and gingerbread. 

         Early Christmas trees were often decorated with apples, nuts, cookies, coloured popcorn and candles. The invention of electricity in the early 20th century and use of electrical Christmas lights helped spread the use of the Christmas tree.

By Tim Youd