Why do We Actually Put Up a Christmas Tree?
Thanks to Victorian Prince Albert: The Royal History and Evolution of the Christmas Tree Tradition
From Tabletop Trimming to Glass Masterpieces: The Art of Royal Christmas Decor
 |
| Vintage retro comic book design highlighting royal holiday history traditional glass ornaments lauscha craftsmen victorian family trends christmas eve gift giving and winter festival decorations |
I absolutely adore the Christmas spirit, and for me, the most important attribute of Christmas and New Year’s is a real Christmas tree. But where did such a wonderful tradition come from?
Origin
The tradition of decorating homes with evergreens originated with the ancient Egyptians. In Scandinavia, they were used to decorate houses and barns to ward off evil spirits. A similar custom existed in Germany: a Christmas tree was placed either near the house or inside during Christmas celebrations.
The tree symbolized the “Tree of Paradise,” and it was traditionally decorated with apples. Later, various cookies were used, and eventually, candles.
The beginning of a new tradition
 |
| Queen Victoria | Royal Christmas Tree - The origin of Victorian holiday traditions |
Queen Victoria of England was married to Prince Albert of Germany, who loved the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree. He wanted to share it with his family and bring joy to his children. And I understand him; trees have a magical, enchanting atmosphere, especially when they’re decorated.
But the first person to put up a Christmas tree in the royal castle was Victoria’s grandmother, Charlotte (she also had German roots).
In 1848, the royal family created a Christmas tree card, and since the middle class loved to imitate the royal family, they began putting up Christmas trees in their own homes.
Prince Albert even ordered that Christmas trees be donated to schools and barracks.
There were several Christmas trees in the palace, and initially they were placed on the table. Presents were placed under the trees. And the custom was to open the presents not on Christmas Day, but on Christmas Eve. This was according to German tradition.
 |
| The Royal Family around the Christmas tree — Opening gifts by the decorated tree |
Interesting fact: before Queen Victoria, Christmas trees in England were considered a strange German fad, considered crude by the Georgian nobility. Albert changed this perception, making the tree a symbol of family comfort, not just a religious attribute.
Decorating Christmas Trees
Prince Albert is believed to have invented decorating Christmas trees with glass ornaments; he placed special orders with glassblowers. The town where the first glass ornaments were created was Lauscha (Thüringen, Germany). Initially, these were shaped like nuts and fruits.
 |
| The royal family of Victoria and Albert decorate the Christmas tree with toys |
According to legend, a poor glassblower blew glass figurines because he didn’t have any real apples or nuts. This became a commercial success. However, there is no confirmed evidence that the prince ever ordered his first glass ornaments from that same glassblower.
Silver glass baubles from Christmas cards were also popular. This is how the royal family created the first trends of the time.
Christmas trees were also decorated with real burning candles, which was quite dangerous. Therefore, they were only allowed to burn for a short time, under supervision. Buckets of water were always kept nearby. The first garland, consisting of 80 bulbs, appeared only in 1882, but it was a very expensive decoration. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century (around the 1940s) that electric lights replaced candles.
Gifts
 |
| An engraving of the royal family at Christmas — The trend that popularised Christmas trees |
Albert gave Victoria jewelry and paintings for Christmas. Victoria often gave Albert paintings, as he was passionate about art.
Children’s gifts weren’t the typical toys or sweets we get today, but rather things like a plot of land on the Isle of Wight (Osborne House) for each child and a chalet-like house (“Swiss Cottage”) in the Osborne House garden. But some gifts could be placed under the tree: dolls, dollhouses, musical toys, blocks, puzzles, books, and more.
I really love the birth of this tradition; it’s so beautiful and atmospheric. Buying a real Christmas tree and decorating it is a celebration in itself.
Creating such a magical environment is a classic example of how shared experiences become timeless viral trends that span centuries. Even in the modern digital marketing space, we are still drawn to these authentic rituals that evoke warmth and nostalgia. Incorporating historical storytelling into your content can be one of the most effective growth strategies for building a loyal and engaged community. Beyond the lights and ornaments, there are other small but meaningful promotion tools of the holiday season that have surprising origins. To discover why a simple fruit became a symbol of generosity and wonder, you should read my next article:
Insider Tip: if learning how a royal love story turned a simple German custom into a global phenomenon has inspired you to create your own winter fairytale, the best part is choosing the details that speak to your heart. To transform your evergreen into a breathtaking masterpiece worthy of a palace, I highly recommend exploring the spectacular collection of
I’m so inspired by this Victorian tradition of giving gifts with meaning. And as we prepare for the holidays, I’m also trying to create things that can become part of your personal story. Take a look, maybe you’ll find just the useful thing here that will add a magical touch to your New Year or make a wonderful gift for loved ones? 🎁
Do you put up a real tree for the scent, or do you prefer an artificial one? And what are your favorite toys?
Support the Lab!
Liked this article? If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog! I regularly share a high-quality mix of practical daily hacks, unusual real-life stories, and fascinating debunking articles. There is plenty of useful and interesting content coming your way. Subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on Medium and Substack .
Disclaimer: this article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Liked this article? If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog! I regularly share a high-quality mix of practical daily hacks, unusual real-life stories, and fascinating debunking articles. There is plenty of useful and interesting content coming your way. Subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on
Disclaimer: this article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments
Post a Comment