| The evolution of the Christmas tree is one full of lore. | | | | artificial lights were included too. |
| With mentions of everything from Norse Gods to | | | | Today, Christmas trees are vastly different. They |
| Martin Luther, from the Tree of Life to the Garden of | | | | rarely include anything edible, with the exception of the |
| Eden, it is a legacy rich with history and color. It is also | | | | candy canes some people prefer to hang. Today's |
| a legacy that has become synonymous with | | | | trees shine with electric lights, glitter, tinsel, and |
| decorating for Christmas. | | | | ornaments that are not simply glass balls, they are |
| In today's world, decorating for Christmas often begins | | | | works of art. Many people also hang handmade |
| when the boxes of Christmas decorations are hauled | | | | ornaments on their trees, made with love from their |
| up from the basement, unpacked, and dusted off for | | | | children. |
| another round of use. Families typically begin | | | | Another way Christmas trees have drastically evolved |
| decorating for Christmas in the days after | | | | has been with the size. In days of yore, Christmas |
| Thanksgiving, if not sooner. They start by trimming a | | | | trees used to reach the ceiling, filling out the entire |
| real tree or simply putting up an artificial one. But, of | | | | corner of a room. Today, however, they tend to be |
| course, it wasn't always like this. | | | | much smaller. |
| Christmas decoration used to be quite different. Rather | | | | In fact, the tabletop Christmas tree has become |
| than hanging ceramic balls from the ends of artificial | | | | increasingly popular. The reason for this is obvious: a |
| branches, stringing old popcorn from the top to the | | | | tabletop Christmas tree takes up hardly any space. |
| bottom, and placing glittery lights throughout, decoration | | | | There is no hassle, no mess, and no work setting it up. |
| of a Christmas tree used to be much simpler. | | | | Decorated table top trees are also an option. These |
| In early days, it was not artificial candy canes or glass | | | | trees come pre-decorated, meaning they are |
| angels that adorned the trees, it was food: breads, | | | | packaged ready to go. Decorated table top trees are |
| fruits and sweets. The Christmas tree was not just a | | | | true time savers during a season when rush, rush, rush |
| place to go to gawk, it was also a place to go for a | | | | is the name of the game. |
| snack. It was also real, a living tree that needed to be | | | | But whatever your Christmas tree preference, these |
| cared for and watered. Eventually decorating for | | | | symbols of the Christmas season are an integral part |
| Christmas included artificial fruits and candies as well | | | | of getting in the holiday spirit. |
| as candles. Once electricity became mainstream, | | | | |