Christmas Decorating began in the 1500's. Christmas Ornaments on trees first began in Germany. In Latvia around 1510 a fir tree (which is a traditional Christmas Tree still today) was decorated with ornaments of roses. Then they began to use wafers, nuts, and candles. Also Christmas ornaments of cookies and candy were being used and they are still used today. Mothers and children get together and bake the cookies and candy and decorate them to hang on the Christmas Tree. Some families make this a tradition every Christmas. In earlier years there were also painted ornaments made of wood and late with blown glass.
To this day the most beautiful Christmas ornaments come from Germany. Many ornaments have a story behind them and are passed down from generation to generation. Christmas ornaments hold many beautiful memories for families. The ornaments hold a roadmap of memories for all families.
The Christmas holiday is celebrated all over the world. It is the birth of Jesus Christ. The stories come from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The nativity sets, which almost every home has and displays, is a replica of at the place where Jesus was born. Again the most beautiful nativity sets are made in Germany. They are called nativity creches. Finland has Santa Claus. Russia has traditional handmade Christmas ornaments whereas Germany has Christmas markets. Christmas is the time of the year when families get together and exchange gifts, cards and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and families pray together and share memories of the past. There is also arrival of Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on Christmas Eve
Christmas Day is on December 25. It is preceded by Christmas Eve on December 24, and in is followed by Boxing Day on December 26.
It is also a tradition to decorate outside of the houses, hang banner on street lights and some houses display Christmas villages also.
When one thinks of the Christmas holidays our thoughts turn to the birth of Jesus. also we think of mistletoe, ivy. holly, snow covered hills, carolers, ringing bells and beautiful decorated homes. Ivy, mistletoe and holly and ivy are winters magic to admire. Christmas time with all the decorations and happy memories help to brighten up the cold days of winter and bring a feeling of warmth to everyone.
Mistletoe is always very popular at Christmas time. It is called the kissing plant. It is hung in doorways and anyone standing under it will be kissed. This tradition comes from the Norse Myths. Also in some European countries it is believed to have healing powers and is used year around for this purpose.
Holly another popular green at Christmas is believed to have magical powers. Germans consider holly to be a good luck charm against hostels enemies. As the Christmas season has grown over the centuries, food has become important. Batches of cookies, candies and sugared fruit are prepared several weeks in advance being brought out on Christmas Day.
Today as centuries ago people still decorate with holly, mistletoe, ivy, and namy lights. Children enjoy stringing popcorn and cranberries, baking cookies, using colored ribbons, paper stars and any colorful materials for decorating the tree on Christmas. But one never forgets the beautiful ornaments that come from all over the world. Many families buy one new ornaments each year and these are passed on from generation to generation. Holiday decorating is still popular today as it was hundreds of years ago and always will be.
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