Christmas Tree History

Many historians and anthropologists agree that the history of Christmas trees begins in post-primeval times, just as agricultural societies were developing across the globe. Christmas did not exist. It was simply, in one culture or another, a pagan celebration of the winter solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year which usually occurs on the 22nd or 23rd of December. The boughs of evergreen trees were brought indoors to protect inhabitants from the evil spirits that could cause starvation and illness.

photo credit: Hulivili

Ancient people also scattered evergreen boughs over their floors, doors and around the windows. In fact, the tradition of hanging an evergreen garland comes from the tradition of hanging evergreens over the mantelpiece to keep witches, ghosts and spirits from traveling down the chimney and into the house.

Evergreen boughs were also used to keep away illness. Scents such as pine, juniper and balsam are still used by aromatherapists today to fend off illness and winter depression.

Even the ancient Egyptians were thought to play a role in the history of Christmas trees. Of course there were no evergreen forests in ancient Egypt but during the solstice they filled their homes with palm rushes to protect themselves from evil and celebrate the return of their Sun God Ra.

European and Mediterranean cultures also have episodes in the long saga that is part of the history of Christmas trees. On the solstice, known as Saturnalia, the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen boughs. This honored the God Saturn whose domain was agriculture. Further north, the Celtic Druids used evergreens on the darkest day of the year to symbolize eternal life. These trees were not decorated as we know them today. They were not much more decorative than the famous Charlie brown Christmas tree. This is because the function of these evergreen boughs was more protective than celebratory.

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Thomas Kinkade Christmas Collectibles

Thomas Kinkade's artwork always able to express the simple pleasures and traditional values of a holiday celebration. Here below are selected lovely Thomas Kinkade Christmas collectibles, the must-have items to get in the Spirit of this Christmas.

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Thomas Kinkade Holiday Reflections Collectible Animated Crystal Christmas Tree

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Thomas Kinkade Animated Holiday Tree Sparkles with Light and Motion. The soft shimmer of light leads you to a place where love glows warmly from within, and will bring a festive mood to your home as a miniature train rolls around the base and a medley of Christmas songs makes the festivities complete.

This breathtaking collectible Thomas Kinkade animated Christmas tree, hand-cut with diamond-pattern facets, takes you to a place wrapped snugly in the comforts of a cozy illuminated village, fully dimensional, meticulously hand-painted with a train circling the base and set within the radiant beauty of a sculpted crystal Christmas tree.  It's a true Masterpiece Edition! Available exclusively from Hawthorne Village, this unique Christmas home decor is filled with fascinating details, all inspired by the artistry of Thomas Kinkade.

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Department 56 Village

Christmas season is approaching and it is about the time to displaying your Department 56 Christmas village houses.  The Department 56 village collection of houses and accessories are beautifully designed and always interesting. These artists obviously put great attention to details and thoughts in designing the pieces and never miss adding that unique touch of character to each of them. Whether they are displayed individually or in a large display, the Department 56 pieces are simply unique and gorgeous and you are hardly go wrong displaying them. Within a short amount of time, you can take these intricate houses and accessories and make them into an absolutely stunning display.

Department 56 Village displays can also be a lasting tradition and memory for the whole family especially during Christmas time. For young children, this yearly tradition can be exciting. They can remember the fun of previous years and eagerly wait to see how this year's display will be different.

The following collectibles from Dept 56 will make great complement to your Christmas decorations this year.

Department 56 Snow Village The Gingerbread House

This lit gingerbread house is part of the "Christmas Lane" over decorated series for The Original Snow Village. Each building in the series incorporates a different Christmas theme - this one features one of our favorite Christmas treats, the Gingerbread cookie!

Size: 9.25 x 8 x 7.75"

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