It's that time of year again! Everyone has already searched for the perfect tall, green, fluffy tree. It could be either a big Christmas tree in your living room or even a small tiny tree in your bedroom. They're all decorated in Christmas decorations of lights, ornaments and have little presents underneath them. Every midnight or morning on Christmas you run to the Christmas tree and find all your presents you can't wait to unwrap. Ever wondered why we use these cypress, fir, pine, and spruce type of trees to celebrate Christmas? Here’s why.
There is a story of when the German preacher, Martin Luther, brought a Christmas tree into his own home. The story says he was the first to bring a tree to a house. Luther was walking around in the forest a night before Christmas. While walking around, he looked up at the stars gleaming through the tree branches. That night, he believed it was so gorgeous he even brought the
tree home and told his children about it.
-Melanie Naraval
Bringing and garnishing a Christmas tree in a home wasn't very popular for the U.S. Then by the 1890s, the tree popularity was building up in America. Americans preferred their Christmas trees to be very tall, from the floor all the way up to the ceiling of the house. In the early 20th century, Americans started using homemade ornaments instead of using apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. Trees began to be
decorated in brighter colors with
popcorn and berries. When electricity
was brought into the home, the use
of Christmas lights followed and
were forever used to brighten
up the tree.
Most early Christmas trees were used in Northern Europe. Some trees were hung upside down from chandeliers and lighting hooks while others were cherry or other plants in pots waiting to grow for the special holiday. If one didn't have enough money to pay for a real tree or plant, they would use wood and stack them up like a tree and enhance the tree with paper, apples, and candles. Germany
was the first to start bringing
Christmas trees into homes
and decorating them.
Origin of the Christmas Tree
Is 'Home Alone' Your Fovorite Christmas Movie?
It's the holiday season! Everybody's rolling out the Christmas decorations, hot chocolate, and various ugly Christmas sweaters. But who can forget those Christmas movies? Those memories of snuggling up with a cup of hot cocoa and listening to the crackling of the fireplace wouldn't be complete without your favorite Christmas movie! Whether it be How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Elf, or The Nightmare Before Christmas, it's fun to be in the holiday spirit!
"My favorite is Home Alone 2: Lost in New York because it's really funny and it shows how much trouble the family and the little boy we go through just to get back home."
-Jerian Clocar (9)
"My favorite Christmas movie would have to be Home Alone 2 because it's a funny movie including some really funny scenes. I really like how the people fall or get hit with a bowling ball and stuff!"
-Angel G (10)
"My favorite Christmas movie would be all the Home Alone movies because they make me laugh and they are great family movies." -Angela Montes (10)
-Shellvy Sanchez