There are several legends associated with the Christmas tree. Photo: AFPHere are a few interesting facts about the Christmas tree:
1. The evergreen fir, which is often used as the Christmas tree, was used to celebrate several winter festivals for thousands of years. Some religious sects used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. Interestingly, those who couldn't afford a real plant, people made pyramids of woods and they were decorated to look like a tree with paper, apples and candles.
2. In Germany, the first Christmas Trees were decorated with edible things, such as gingerbread and gold covered apples. Later on, glass makers made special small ornaments similar to some of the decorations used today. The first Christmas Trees came to Britain sometime in the 1830s. They became very popular in 1841, when Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's German husband) had a Christmas Tree set up in Windsor Castle. In Victorian times, the tree would have been decorated with candles to represent stars. In many parts of Europe, candles are still used to decorate Christmas trees.
3. In order to ensure a greater deal of safety, in 1895 Ralph Morris, an American telephonist, invented the first electric Christmas lights, similar to the ones we use today.
4. Erin Lavoir from the USA hold the record for the most Christmas trees chopped down in two minutes. She had chopped down 27 Christmas trees.
5. Artificial Christmas Trees really started becoming popular in the early 20th century. In the Edwardian period Christmas Trees made from colored ostrich feathers were popular at 'fashionable' parties. Around 1900 there was even a short fashion for white trees - so if you thought colored trees are a new invention they're not! Over the years artificial tress have been made from feathers, papier mâché, metal, glass, and many different types of plastic (I've got a couple of inflatable trees!).
6. In many countries, different trees are used as Christmas trees. In New Zealand a tree called the 'Pohutakawa' that has red flowers is sometimes used and in India, Banana or Mango trees are sometimes decorated.
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