Christmas

Merry Christmas Wishes
From 101lifeStyle.com

Christmas Tree:

A Christmas tree, Yule tree or Tannenbaum (German: fir tree) is one of the most popular traditions associated with the celebration of Christmas and has become an indispensable part of Christmas celebration. Christmas tree is regarded as one of the most dominant symbols of the Christmas celebration all over the world. The celebration is incomplete without a Christmas tree. The freshness and aroma of a real Christmas tree have been an integral part of the celebration. The preparation for the celebration usually begins with the selection of the tree and continues till the day of Christ. It is normally an evergreen coniferous tree that is brought into a home or used in the open, and is decorated with Christmas lights and colourful ornaments during the days around Christmas. An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story.

History Of The Christmas Tree:

It is said that the Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. The very first trees were oak, the same tree used for the Yule Log. Trees have been a symbol of good luck since the Middle Ages. In Germany, whenever someone would build a house, a small evergreen tree would be nailed to the highest beam. Later on they started bringing those trees inside their home during the time of Christmas. It was common for the German people to decorate fir trees, inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper during the festive season. It is generally thought that Christmas trees were established in Britain after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert, brought the custom over from Germany. However, there are records of small fir trees being used to decorate houses before this and sailors used to affix one to the top of the mainmast of their ships.

In Germany and northern Europe, the practice of decorating coniferous trees originated in pagan times, when the trees were seen as phallic symbols representing the fertility of the nature gods. The practice was associated with the Winter Solstice (around December 21) which was seen as the date of the rebirth of the Sun God. Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25th as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice. Before electricity Christmas trees were lit by candles. Some cultures continue to use candles, such as this traditional Danish tree. Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve (24 December), and then removed the day after twelfth night (i.e., 6 January); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck.

The Pennsylvania Germans brought it to America in the 1820's. Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850. The best selling trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.

According to legends, the Christmas tree is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ. It is believed that on the night of His birth, all living creatures came to Bethlehem to greet him with gifts. The olive tree came along with its fruit and the palm with its date but the fir had nothing to gift the newborn king. So an angel, taking pity on the fir, commanded a cluster of stars to shine on its beautiful boughs. Baby Jesus smiled on seeing the lighted tree, and blessed it. That's why; the fir tree is always lighted with many decorations on it, to please little children during Christmas. It is also said that the triangular shape of the tree symbolizes the Trinity and points upwards towards the God. While the light, gift and decorations on the Christmas tree mean heaven; love and charity respectively. Even the decorations on the Christmas trees draw their root in traditional values. The crystal balls symbolizes the fruit of redemption, the electric light or the candles are ancient symbols that stand for the triumph of spring over the darkness of winter. The light also symbolizes the light that Jesus Christ cast upon the lives of the people. The Holy, when it flies down to earth, is believed to take the shape of a dove. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, while the bell symbolizes the joys of life.

Types Of Trees Used:

Both natural and artificial trees are used as Christmas trees.

Natural Trees:
The best species for use are species of fir (Abies), which have the major benefit of not shedding the needles when they dry out, as well as good foliage colour and scent; but species in other genera are also used. Commonly used species in northern Europe are:
1. Silver Fir Abies alba(the original species).
2. Nordmann Fir Abies nordmanniana.
3. Noble Fir Abies procera.
4. Norway Spruce Picea abies (generally the cheapest).
5. Serbian Spruce Picea omorika.
6. Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris.

and in North America and Central America:
1. Balsam Fir Abies balsamea.
2. Fraser Fir Abies fraseri.
3. Grand Fir Abies grandis.
4. Guatemalan Fir Abies guatemalensis .
5. Noble Fir Abies procera.
6. Red Fir Abies magnifica .
7. Douglas-fir Pseudotsuga menziesii.
8. Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris.
9. Stone Pine Pinus pinea (as small table-top trees).
Several other species are used to a lesser extent.

Artificial Christmas Trees:Artificial trees have become increasingly popular, as they are considered more convenient and (if used for several years) less expensive than real trees. Trees come in a number of colours and "species", and some come pre-decorated with lights. At the end of the Christmas season artificial trees can be disassembled and stored compactly.

Designer Christmas Trees:The first artificial trees that were not green were the metallic trees, introduced about 1958, and quite popular through the 1960s. These were made of aluminium attached to metal rods, supported on wooden or aluminium central poles.
For environmental issues it is best to use natural trees.Artificial trees can be used for many years, but are usually non-recyclable, ending up in landfills. Real trees are used only for a short time, but can be recycled and used as mulch or used to prevent erosion. Real trees also help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while growing.

How To Select A Christmas Tree:

1. Decide Where to Place the Tree - Avoid placing your tree near a heat source (sunny windows, radiators, heating vents, and fireplaces). Try to keep the tree out of high traffic areas where it might be bumped or overturned, or where someone might trip on light cords. Avoid any spot that might be dangerous, such as next to a fire in the fireplace or up on a wobbly table. measure BOTH the ceiling height and the width of that space. Write these numbers down on a piece of paper. Also, measure your tree stand to determine the maximum diameter of the tree trunk you can use in it. Finally, measure the height of your tree stand as well as the height of your treetop decoration.

2. The next thing you need to decide is whether you want an artificial Christmas tree or a live Christmas tree.

3. If you decide on getting the real trees remember that trees with shorter needles (such as Fraser or Noble Fir) are often easier to decorate than others, as they offer some space between branches for decorations as well as some stronger stems to hold heavier ornaments. You should also look for a fresh Christmas tree where the needles should look shiny, green, and fresh -- not dry or brown. They should not fall off when you pull on a branch.

4. After your perfect purchase, you would need setting the Christmas Tree up in its place. If you're using an artificial Christmas tree, it probably comes with a stand. For a live Christmas tree, you'll need to provide te tree stand.

5. Live Christmas trees should have their water checked twice a day. If it runs out of water and the tree gets too dry, the heat of your lights can make the Christmas tree start on fire.

6. You can Then Start Decorating your tree. Beginning at the top of the tree, wind the lights around the tree in a spiral. It helps to have two people doing this job, so that you can hand the lights around the tree, instead of walking in a circle getting dizzy. Next, the ornaments. Heavier ornaments should go closer to the trunk of the Christmas tree, where the branches can support the weight, and lighter-weight ones will go towards the outer ends of the branches. Be sure not to put any small or breakable ornaments on the lowest branches if you have small children or pets in the house.