According to tradition, a 7th century monk created the first Christmas tree when he used the triangular shape of the local evergreen trees to illustrate the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Supposedly, 12th century evergreen trees were hung from ceilings at Christmastime in Central Europe as a symbol of faith. During the 16th century, Martin Luther (leader of the Protestant reformation which birthed the Lutheran Church) reportedly decorated a small tree with candles to tell the story of Christ's birth and how the stars twinkled through the dark night. Before long, trees were decorated with candles in houses all across Germany for Christmastime.

As for decorations, the wealthy, made tinsel from thin strands of real silver and hung it on the tree along with candles and small ornaments. Early trees were decorated with small gifts, cookies, fruit and candy tied onto the branches. The wealthy made elegant hand made silk decorations such as quilted snowflakes and stars, lace baskets and beaded garlands for their trees. Those who could afford it made paper ornaments and cornucopia for their trees.

Queen Victoria and her German husband Prince Albert made Christmas trees fashionable and popular in England during her reign. With the advent of the machine age of in the early 1900's, paper, glass and metal ornaments were manufactured for sale to the public. When Edison's inventions helped to make electricity more accessible fully wired homes became the norm. Tree candles were gradually replaced with electric lights strung together. The electric lights of the 1940's and 1950's were 1/2" - 1" long.

Today, lights can be as short as 1/8".  Manufacturers now create or import elaborate Christmas ornaments, garlands, and tinsel consistent with the popular taste of the times.

Visit our metal ornament trees and display stands to see the unique metal, twig, artificial and other ornament display products to enhance your Christmas holiday home decorating.

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