Unwrapping the Magic of German Christmas Trees

Are you curious about the magic behind German Christmas trees? Check out this post for everything you need to know about them!

Known as the undisputed king of Christmas decor, Christmas trees make an appearance all around the world in time for the holiday season. They are usually located in several hallways and living rooms while also being decorated with decorations such as a star or an angel. How it’s adorned depends on each household’s preference but there will be some similarities between some trees.

But what you may be wondering is how this odd tradition of bringing trees indoors to decorate them during the holiday season came about anyways?

Well, the answer to that question is simple. The tradition started in Germany for those who don’t know and it has influenced many countries ever since.

So, if you want to learn how German Christmas trees came about, keep reading! This post alone highlights the history behind the German Christmas tree and some frequently asked questions about it.

The German Legend of the Christmas Tree

The first Christmas tree to ever exist in the world was seen in Germany around the 1500s. This was because around 1510 a group of German merchants placed a spruce tree outside of their place of business to celebrate the birth of Jesus. That spruce tree was also lit on fire and the tradition continued to spread throughout Germany. By the mid-to-late-16th century, trees were then erected in town squares, decked with paper flowers, and burned to celebrate the holiday.

However, some people still credit Martin Luther for bringing the first Christmas tree into existence even though the records show that the first trees did not appear in Germany until years after his death in 1546. Despite this, legend has it that Luther came up with the idea of a Christmas tree as he was walking through a pine forest, admiring the way the starlight glistened through the trees.

How German Christmas Trees Influenced the World

As Christmas trees were spreading throughout Germany, the trend began to spill over to other countries like America, England, and France. The German settlers in Pennsylvania were the first to bring the Christmas tree over to America while Prince Albert exported the trend to the U.K. The Duchess of Orleans, from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, was even the first to bring the Christmas tree to Paris.

Christmas ornaments also have German origins since the first glass ones were spotted in Thuringia sometime between 1550 and 1609. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1850s that the German scientist, Justus von Liebig, added a silver nitrate solution to silver the balls, giving them a shiny and reflective appearance so that painters could paint intricate designs on them afterwards.

Over time, Christmas trees became international but the way they were decorated slightly changed. The traditional way of decorating them went from German pretzel-and-nuts to modern tinsel and electric lights, which shows how our culture has a way of shaping our traditions.

Real vs. Artificial German Christmas Trees

Although Europe is known for buying millions of real Christmas trees each year, there is still a large demand for synthetic, artificial trees within the continent. Artificial Christmas trees came about in Germany as a solution to the mass deforestation real Christmas trees caused.

The first ones were made of goose feathers that were dyed green and wrapped around a small wooden peg to create a tree shape. Other substitutes included trees made from bristles and trees made from green aluminum.

The argument though that still plagues many people is which is better, the real Christmas tree or the artificial one? While getting a real Christmas tree is traditional, there are environmental consequences to deforestation. On the other hand, although artificial Christmas trees prevent deforestation, there are concerns about the economic effects of plastic production. Either way, both trees can have a negative impact on our society while still providing us positivity during the holiday season.

German Christmas Trees FAQs

All in all, to end this post, I thought it would be important to also answer some frequently asked questions people might have about German Christmas Trees.

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What item is often hidden in Christmas trees in Germany?

A small, green pickle is often hidden in Christmas trees in Germany as part of a German tradition. This tradition is known as Weihnachtsgurke which translates to “Christmas Eve Cucumber” in English.

Normally, this tradition involves someone hiding the pickle during Christmas Eve within the Christmas tree’s many branches. This person is usually St. Nick who hides it or someone from the family. Once the pickle is hidden, the next morning the children are searching for it. The first child who finds it receives an extra present on Christmas day or good luck for the coming year.

On a side note, it’s important to note that the pickle hidden in Christmas trees in Germany is not real. It’s usually an ornament made of glass.

The origin of this tradition however is still a mystery to some. There have been multiple theories about it including the one where a Bavarian soldier asked for a pickle near his deathbed during the American Civil War.

How long do Germans keep their Christmas trees up?

Germans usually keep their Christmas trees up until January 6, Three Kings Day, or February 2, Candlemas. However, some believe it is bad luck to take down the tree before January 7.

Which German family has the most Christmas trees?

The Jeromin family is the German family with the most Christmas trees in the world. They hold the world record for the most decorated trees in one house which was 555 trees. The family’s home is located in Rinteln, Germany and it still attracts visitors from all over the world because of its “winter wonderland”.

What happens to Christmas trees after Christmas in Germany?

After Christmas, Christmas trees are usually picked up and disposed of by a neighborhood appointment. This usually starts around January 6 and then the trees are repurposed.

For example, some Christmas trees are shredded and burned so that Germans can create heat and electricity from them. Some trees are also chopped up and grounded so that Germans can make wood chips that can be used as mulch. Lastly, after being disposed of, some trees are simply just fed to the animals and plants.

Why do Germans put candles on their Christmas tree?

Germans put candles on their Christmas tree because it was a tradition started by Martin Luther. They also do it because the candles symbolize Christ since he is the light of the world. So, in other words, lighting candles on a German Christmas tree is a way to spread light and hope during the dark winter months.

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Overall, I hope you enjoyed this post that unwraps the magic behind German Christmas trees. Please let me know in the comments below if you’ve seen a German Christmas tree before and what your opinion is of it. I would love to hear from you! 🙂

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