The Christmas tree is one of the most beloved holiday symbols.
However, social trends, accessible resources, and cultural changes have drastically changed Christmas tree decorations over the decades. From modest origins to the spectacular shows of today, decorations not only represent our personal and group history but also our aesthetic tastes.
The custom of decorating Christmas trees is at the core of the holiday atmosphere. Have you ever considered, though, how these decorations evolved throughout time or how they came to be?
Let us travel across time to find the changes in Christmas tree decorations over the years.
The 19th Century
Simple, frequently handcrafted, 19th-century people started decorating their trees with what was easily accessible as the Christmas tree custom spread over Europe, especially Germany.
Among the first decorations were fruits, nuts, and candles. Apples were a preferred option because of their connotations with the Biblical tale of Adam and Eve.
Families also created paper ornaments, stars, and even figures from common materials like wood and straw. Back then, it was about the purpose behind every decoration, not only about visual attraction.
These decorations revealed a strong relationship to spiritual ideas, harvest, and the natural world. Of course, the fad soon found its way outside of Europe.
As German immigrants came to the United States, they brought with them their most treasured traditions. One of the traditions was decorating a Christmas tree, a practice which was followed by American society as well.
The Early 20th Century
Christmas tree decorations changed dramatically as the 20th century got underway. The addition of glass ornaments, especially from Germany, transformed tree decorations.
The small German village Lauscha gained notoriety for its glassblowers as it started creating exquisitely tiny glass balls, icicles, and other decorations. Not only were these glass decorations popular in Europe, but they were also imported to the United States and soon became rather famous there.
These glass decorations were treasured objects families would use year after year. Along with them, electric Christmas lights began to replace candles, a fire hazard.
Suddenly, the Christmas tree became safer and even more magical, with glittering lights accentuating the exquisite glass baubles.
Glass decorations were rather costly, even if they were a sign of sophistication. Many families would still combine their valuable glass ornaments with homemade or natural decorations.
Still, the early 20th century marked the beginning of a trend toward mass-manufactured Christmas decorations. This made them more accessible to a broader public.
The 1940s and 1950s
World War II defined the 1940s as a period that greatly affected tree decorations.
People had little resources, hence their decorations had to be inventive. Since many conventional materials were lacking, ornaments were created from what could be found.
Common items were recycled materials, paper ornaments, and tin foil garlands. Many others even hand-painted their glass baubles to revitalise more ancient ornaments.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, the late 1940s and early 1950s post-war era had its fair share of glitz and wealth. New ornament designs featuring vivid colours and glossy materials exploded upon the industrial scene.
Aluminium trees also debuted and brought with them a fresh type of decoration: dazzling, tinsel-covered decorations to accentuate the futuristic-looking silver trees. This time was all about luxury, strong colours, and the gleaming newness of America following the war.
Families ready to have the ideal tree without the trouble of searching one down started to be catered for by fresh Christmas tree delivery companies.
These services let consumers concentrate on the fun aspect, decorating, therefore acting as an early forerunner of the current convenience we take for granted!
The 1960s and 1970s
Christmas ornament design underwent yet another change in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly shaped by consumer tastes and technical breakthroughs.
Plastics were in vogue at this time, and producers immediately realised the possibilities of creating reasonably priced, robust Christmas ornaments from this flexible material. Glass ornaments were suddenly not the only possible choice.
Plastic decorations allowed people to be more creative in both colour and design. Popular bright, vibrant colours, including pink, orange, and turquoise, started to influence ornaments towards a more playful, modern look.
Christmas trees were brilliant and eye-catching with shiny silver and gold decorations as well as multicoloured lights.
Reflecting the era’s obsession with space travel, space-age themes were also rather prevalent.
Some traditionalists, nonetheless, favoured the delicate elegance of glass, even if plastic ornaments were thought to be fun and modern.
Still, plastic enabled more families to engage in the custom of ornament collecting since it was less likely to shatter and was more reasonably priced than its glass counterparts.
The 1980s and 1990s
Christmas tree decorations grew really personal by the 1980s and 1990s.
Families chose decorations that reflected their hobbies, interests, and even family pets. This helped the trend of personalising ornaments flourish.
The handmade photo frames, babies’ first Christmas ornaments, and even items doubling as mementoes from family holidays started to abound.
Collectable ornaments also first emerged in the 1990s. Companies like Hallmark started yearly limited-edition jewellery releases, which set off a trend whereby customers would gather the whole series.
This age highlighted sentimentality and personal connection to every decoration. Ornaments were precious treasures with a narrative, not only an adornment.
The 2000s to Present Day
Christmas tree decorations have not been free from the change of the millennium. On the contrary, the turn of the millennium has brought about a fresh consciousness regarding sustainability and eco-friendliness.
Today, a lot of individuals are choosing environmentally friendly, sustainable resources such as biodegradable materials, recycled glass, and wood.
Handmade decorations have also become more popular as a reflection of the need to help local companies and lower the environmental effect of mass manufacture.
In the modern years, technology has also influenced Christmas tree décor. The Christmas experience now includes LED lights, remote-controlled decorations, and even smart trees that can sync with your holiday song.
Inspired by movies, TV shows, or certain colour palettes, themed trees, which let people highlight their own tastes and interests, have become rather common.
Conclusion
From days of apples and handcrafted figures, Christmas tree decorations have evolved. Still, they are a timeless custom that unites people around the holidays.
Whether your taste is, each ornament has a particular meaning and history in our homes and hearts.
We hope that you gained a deeper appreciation for the history and traditions behind Christmas decorations and will appreciate the act more deeply when decorating your Christmas tree this year.
Happy holidays!
