Chezhiyan
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In fact, the holiday fun and excitement begins with decorating a pine/fir tree — a tradition that most people look forward to every year. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the use of evergreen trees — wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life — was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity in the Scandinavian customs of decorating the house and barn with evergreens during New Year to scare away the devil and of setting up a tree for the birds during Christmas time. Alternatively, it is identified with the "tree of paradise" of medieval mystery plays that were given on December 24, the commemoration and name day of Adam and Eve in various countries.
Possible predecessors
While it is clear that the modern Christmas tree originated during the Renaissance of early modern Germany, there are other speculative theories too. However, if we trace back in time, it all started about 1,000 years ago in Northern Europe. Trees were hung upside down from the ceiling — from chandeliers/lighting hooks — using chains. The evergreen fir has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals (both pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, in order to welcome spring. The Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God.
Setting up and taking down
Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are associated with specific dates. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve and then removed on the day after Twelfth Night (January 5). To have a tree up before or after these dates was considered bad luck. Some families in the US and Canada would put up a Christmas tree a week prior to American Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), and Christmas decorations can show up even earlier in retail stores, often the day after Halloween (October 31). Some households do not put up the tree until the second week of December, and leave it until Epiphany (January 6). In Roman Catholic homes, the tree may be kept till Candlemas (February 2).
Read More At
Everything you wanted to know about the Christmas tree - The Times of India
Possible predecessors
While it is clear that the modern Christmas tree originated during the Renaissance of early modern Germany, there are other speculative theories too. However, if we trace back in time, it all started about 1,000 years ago in Northern Europe. Trees were hung upside down from the ceiling — from chandeliers/lighting hooks — using chains. The evergreen fir has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals (both pagan and Christian) for thousands of years. Pagans used branches of it to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, in order to welcome spring. The Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God.
Setting up and taking down
Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are associated with specific dates. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve and then removed on the day after Twelfth Night (January 5). To have a tree up before or after these dates was considered bad luck. Some families in the US and Canada would put up a Christmas tree a week prior to American Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November), and Christmas decorations can show up even earlier in retail stores, often the day after Halloween (October 31). Some households do not put up the tree until the second week of December, and leave it until Epiphany (January 6). In Roman Catholic homes, the tree may be kept till Candlemas (February 2).
Read More At
Everything you wanted to know about the Christmas tree - The Times of India
