Christmas trees

The modern Christmas tree tradition was primarily a German Protestant (especially Lutheran) custom in its early development and popularization.

Decorated evergreen trees for Christmas first appear in records from German-speaking regions (notably Alsace/Strasbourg area) in the early 16th century, around the time of the Reformation. An early reference is from 1521 in Sélestat (Schlettstadt), with clearer home descriptions from Strasbourg around 1605 of fir trees hung with paper roses, apples, wafers, gold foil, and sweets. These grew out of medieval “Paradise trees” used in mystery plays performed on December 24 (the feast of Adam and Eve), which featured evergreens decorated with apples (for the Tree of Knowledge) and wafers (symbolizing the Eucharist).