The Amazing History of the Christmas Tree
Michalis 'BIG Mike' Kotzakolios


Defined Tag: Christmas Tree.

While many ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the Romans held the evergreen (fir) tree in high regard as a symbol of fertility, it is the holiday season of Christmas that the fir tree has become associated with the most. After all, who doesn�t recognize the image of the Christmas tree? And what little kid doesn�t look forward to seeing all those presents under the Christmas tree when the 25th of December rolls around?

St. Boniface walked out into the woods and he came upon a horrific site. There were many pagans in the woods and they were worshiping the oak trees of the forest as these trees were an ancient symbol of fertility. Infuriated, St. Boniface had all the oak trees chopped down so the sacrilege would not be repeated a second night in a row. Miraculously, after the oak trees had been chomped down, evergreen trees grew in their place. This is the tale of how the Christmas tree came into existence.

These trees soon became popular in Europe and Germany in particular and remained a staple of the holiday season from the Middle Ages through the Age of Enlightenment and into the modern era as well. This tree eventually made its way to America in the 18th century by way of European immigrants who brought the tradition of the Christmas tree with them and it quickly became incorporated into American culture as well.

Eventually, the Christmas tree spawned a commercial enterprise when the novel approach of bringing the tree indoors was conceived. (The decorated trees were natural trees in the outdoors for years) Since it is impossible to grow a Christmas tree inside one�s home, enterprising individuals started harvesting the trees and selling them to those wishing to have such a tree during the holidays. This has become a tradition that continues to endure after two hundred years.