New Year's Eve is always associated with a Christmas tree. Many, without hesitation, will answer: “With a Christmas tree, bright, cheerful, in garlands and toys!”

The Christmas tree has become a symbol of the holiday, and this fabulous tradition of decorating a Christmas tree for the New Year has been passed down from generation to generation for more than one century.

Why is the Christmas tree decorated for the New Year? Where did this custom come from?

Tree history. In ancient times, it was a tradition to simply decorate various trees. People believed that all trees are endowed with good power, that omnipotent spirits live in them. Therefore, they cajoled these spirits with decorations in every possible way. And decorated mainly with apples, eggs and nuts.

Spruce has always occupied the first place among trees. She was considered the heavenly tree of immortality, symbolizing life itself. After all, spruce is an evergreen plant (which hardly fit in the minds of our distant ancestors), and if not like all trees, then it’s magical! They believed that the spruce enjoys special privileges from the Sun, because it allows it to always be green.

AT Ancient Greece spruce was considered the sacred tree of hope, eternal life all living things. It is believed that the Trojan horse was built from spruce.

The first decorated Christmas trees appeared in 1605 in France in Alsace. “For Christmas, Christmas trees are set up in houses, and colored paper roses, apples, cookies, sugar cubes and tinsel are hung on their branches” - this is information from the annals. This idea was quickly adopted by the Germans, and then by the whole of Europe. True, at first, Christmas trees could only be seen in the homes of the richest nobles. For those who complain that the holidays in our time are not cheap, and the prices for Christmas trees are “going wild”, I note that in the 19th century it was necessary to pay from 20-200 rubles for a Christmas tree with decoration. For 20 rubles in those days you could buy an excellent cow, and for 200 rubles beautiful house near Petersburg.

In Russia New Year's celebration have been celebrated since 1700. The initiator of this was Peter I. He introduced a new calendar from the birth of Christ, as in all of Europe, and not from the creation of the world. Unfortunately, this tradition did not take root, and after the death of Peter, the celebration of the New Year was forgotten. This amazing tradition was revived only during the reign of Catherine II. Coniferous trees began to be decorated only in the second half of the 19th century. And the first Christmas tree, decorated with candles, toys and garlands, was installed in St. Petersburg in 1852.

What did the festive ancient Christmas tree look like?

"At Christmas, they set up Christmas trees in the houses, and on their branches they hang roses made of colored paper, apples, cookies, sugar cubes and tinsel." This is how Hoffman described magic Christmas tree in his fairy tale The Nutcracker.

Here is the history of the tree. This is how Christmas trees were decorated in those days. painted eggshell, apples and nuts wrapped in colored paper, gilded threads, beads, salt dough figures, candles. All these decorations are loved by children in our time. Despite the variety of Christmas decorations in stores. The first glass balls appeared in the middle of the 19th century. Therefore, toys produced before 1966 are generally recognized as "antique" Christmas tree decorations. These are mainly balloons with Soviet symbols, airplanes, astronauts, corn cobs

Where is the best place to put the tree?

There is always a place for a forest beauty in our home. If the Christmas tree is large, it is advisable to put it on the floor, if the Christmas tree fits on the table, then it can be on the table, it will celebrate the holiday with you. Only now it never occurs to anyone to attach a Christmas tree to the ceiling. Destroying stereotypes is scary, probably ... But 400 years ago, when the custom of bringing a Christmas tree home was just in its infancy, in Germany it was customary to mount it to the ceiling, and always with the top down. Unusual and uncomfortable.

Modern Christmas Trees

Nowadays, Christmas trees are installed in all major city squares.

In Italy, a fluffy beauty is placed in Rome on St. Peter's Square. In London, Trafalgar Square is the very center of the city. In New York at the Rockefeller Center. And here is an interesting location of a floating Christmas tree in Rio de Janeiro, it is installed on Lake Lagoa. The tallest Christmas tree in the world, 112 meters high, was installed in Mexico City on one of the central avenues in 2009. In the capital of the United Arab Emirates in 2010, the Christmas tree was decorated with solid gold balls worth $12 million.

The fashion for Christmas trees and decorations has gained momentum so much that famous designers are releasing entire collections of Christmas decorations.

The green beauty has firmly taken root in the hearts and homes of people. Each family tries to decorate their Christmas tree in the most elegant and original way. It seems to me that the history of the Christmas tree does not end there, it will still surprise us with something unusual!

I would like to end with a beautiful and kind legend about the Christmas Tree.

“The holy solemn night descended to earth, bringing with it great joy to people. In Bethlehem, in a wretched cave, the Savior of the world was born. Hearing the chanting of the angels, the shepherds praise and thank God; following the guiding star, the magi rush from the far east to worship the Divine Infant. And not only people, but also the trees that shade the cave, and the meadow flowers that dazzle around - all in their own way take part in the great celebration. They sway joyfully, as if worshiping the Divine Infant, and in the jubilant rustle of leaves, in the whisper of herbs, one can hear, as it were, an expression of reverence for the accomplished miracle. Everyone wants to see the born Savior: trees and bushes stretch out their branches, flowers raise their heads, trying to look inside the cave, which has now turned into a sacred temple.

Happier than the others are three trees standing at the very entrance to the cave: they can clearly see the manger and the Infant resting in them, surrounded by a host of angels. This is a slender palm tree, a beautiful fragrant olive tree and a modest green Christmas tree. The rustle of their branches becomes more and more joyful, more and more animated, and suddenly the words are clearly heard in it:

Let's go and we will worship the Divine Infant and offer Him our gifts, - the palm tree said, referring to the olive tree.

Take me with you too! - timidly said a modest Christmas tree.

Where are you with us! – glancing around the Christmas tree with a contemptuous glance, the palm tree proudly replied.

And what gifts can you offer to the Divine Infant, - the olive tree added, - what do you have? Only prickly needles and nasty sticky resin!

The poor tree was silent and humbly stepped back, not daring to enter the cave, shining with heavenly light.

But the angel heard the conversation of the trees, saw the pride of the palm tree and the olive tree, and the modesty of the tree; he felt sorry for her, and out of his angelic kindness he wanted to help her.

A magnificent palm tree bent over the Child and plunged before him best leaf its luxurious crown.

May it bring coolness to You on a hot day,” she said, and the olive tree tilted its branches. Fragrant oil dripped from them, and the whole cave was filled with fragrance.

With sadness, but without envy, the New Year tree looked at this.

“They are right,” she thought, “how can I compare with them! I am so poor. Insignificant, am I worthy to approach the Divine Child?”

But the angel said to her:

In your modesty you humiliate yourself, dear Christmas tree, but I will exalt you and decorate you better than your sisters!

And the angel looked up to heaven.

And the dark sky was dotted with sparkling stars. The angel made a sign, and one star after another began to roll down to the ground, right on the green branches of the tree, and soon all of it shone with brilliant lights. And when the Divine Infant woke up, it was not the fragrance in the cave, not the sumptuous fan of the palm tree that attracted his attention, but the shining Christmas tree. He looked at her and smiled at her and held out his hands to her.

The tree rejoiced, but did not become proud, and with its radiance tried to illuminate the ashamed, who stood in the shade of the olive and palm tree. She repaid evil with good.

And the angel saw it and said:

You are a good tree, a sweet Christmas tree, and for this you will be rewarded. Every year at this time you, as now, will show off in the radiance of many lights, and children and adults will, looking at you, rejoice and have fun. And you, a modest, green Christmas tree, will become a sign of a merry Christmas holiday.

Natalya Sarmaeva for Women's magazine"Charm"

In this note we will talk about the origin of the European custom decorate the christmas tree and about how the features of this tradition changed at different stages of history. It will be mainly about traditions of Germany and France and, in particular, about the Alsatian and Lorraine regions, since it is the capital of Central Alsace that the city is considered the “official homeland” of the New Year tree, and neighboring Lorraine gave the world such a popular Christmas decoration as a glass ball.

Christmas or New Year tree- this is an image that combines numerous fairy tales, legends, childhood memories and for most people it symbolizes a joyful moment when everyone, young and old, get together to celebrate Christmas in a cozy atmosphere or New Year. We have a need, even in the most severe winter, to hope for renewal and light, and the origins of this need go back to the mists of time.

As an evergreen tree, the Christmas tree has always had a magical attraction for both pagans and Christians, being an object of desire, the embodiment of warm holidays and meetings with relatives and friends. The traditions of decorating the Christmas tree have changed in the course of European history and today are of interest as a kind of cultural monument, as a reflection of our past.

Ancient Origins of Christmas Traditions

The tradition of veneration and ritual use of trees is found among European peoples already in antiquity. The tree was considered among the ancient peoples of Europe as a symbol of life and was often decorated with fruits, flowers, cereals. Thus, the Celts deified trees and believed that spirits inhabited them. And, for example, the Romans on the day of the winter solstice decorated their houses with branches of evergreen trees in honor of the god Janus.

Like many other pagan traditions, this custom was subsequently adopted by Christians, who only replaced the branches with whole freshly cut trees. In addition, the medieval Christmas mysteries contributed to the popularity of the “Christmas tree” among Christians, one of which was dedicated to the story of Adam and Eve, and, as a rule, a spruce decorated with red apples was used to depict the paradise tree.

The Legend of Saint Boniface and the Christmas Tree

According to some reports, the custom of setting up a decorated Christmas tree for Christmas originated in Germany. The "inventor" of the Christmas tree is considered Saint Boniface(675-754) - English bishop who was engaged in missionary work in Germany, preaching the Christian faith. According to legend, once in a certain Bavarian village, Boniface met a pagan tribe worshiping the sacred oak of the god Thor (according to another version, Odin). To prove to the pagans the impotence of their gods, the saint cut down this oak, and, to the surprise of the Germans, no powerful spirits appeared from the felled tree to punish Boniface for his deed. Impressed by what they saw, many pagans converted to Christianity.

This legend has the following continuation: before the eyes of the astonished pagans, a young Christmas tree grew in place of the felled oak (in fact, this part of the legend does not find confirmation in the life of the saint and is considered a later attempt to Christianize the pagan tradition). Boniface explained to the pagans that the evergreen tree is a symbol of Christ and the strengthening of the Catholic faith, while the fallen oak marks the end of paganism. On the next year all the pagans in the area were already Christians and happily decorated the grown Christmas tree, celebrating the Christmas holiday, unknown to them before.

According to another version, with the help of coniferous trees, the crowns of which have a triangular shape, St. Boniface tried to convey to the pagans the idea of ​​the Trinity.

Christmas tree of the 16th century: Christian symbolism

For Christmas celebrations in the 16th century, Europeans began to increasingly use instead of branches - common, as already mentioned, in the pagan tradition - whole young trees. Moreover, it was immediately recognized as the most suitable for this purpose. coniferous trees, because even at the beginning of winter they remain green and serve as the embodiment of hope for new life, on the renewal of nature.

The earliest documentary evidence preserved in the humanistic library tells that to decorate Christmas trees - which were called by the old German word Meyen- used at that time apples. These are fragrant and crispy. red apples to this day are known in Germany and Alsace under the name Christkindel Apfel("Christmas apples"). In Alsace, it is customary to collect them in October and store them until December-February.

The decoration of Christmas trees at that time was most often of an official nature, since these trees were mainly installed in the squares in front of churches, as well as in front of the town hall and workshop buildings. Outfit green beauty consisted of two symbolic elements: first of all apples, which reminded of the original sin of Adam and Eve, and secondly, host, or host (oublie), which served as an indication of the atonement of sins through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the lyceum chapel of the Alsatian city of Ageno (Hagenau) ( Haguenau) a fresco of the 15th century has been preserved, in which this symbolism is visually embodied in the form of a tree, the crown of which is clearly divided vertically into two zones: on one side, apples hang on the tree, and on the other, wafers.

After Christmas trees began to appear in ordinary homes, the tree was first adopted hang to the ceiling beam, as previously done with "pagan" branches. After some time, the spruce began to be placed in a small tub filled with sand and gravel.

What kind Christmas decorations were the most common during that period, besides, of course, the aforementioned apples and wafers? Since the beginning of the 16th century, a Christmas decoration called Zischgold, which was made of thin metal plates or gilded strips, which gave the festive decoration of the Christmas tree even more shine.

Another similar view Christmas decorations is lametta- gimp, or "rain", which in France is commonly called "angel hair" ( Cheveux d'ange). According to some reports, as early as the 15th century, Lyon craftsmen were making these brilliant Christmas decorations.

Celeste - home of the Christmas tree?

Although christmas tree tradition, probably existed in Germany and Alsace from about the 12th century, the first written mention of the "Christmas tree" ( Meyen) in this region date back to 1521. This refers to the record of December 21, 1521, preserved in humanistic library ( Bibliotheque Humaniste) - an Alsatian city located between and. However, in those days, Celeste did not yet belong to France and was called in the German manner: Schlettstadt.

This historical entry in the account book reads: Item IIII schillinge dem foerster die meyen an sanct Thomas tag zu hieten"("4 shillings - to the forester for the protection of the fir trees from the day of St. Thomas" (December 21)). Having studied this fragment of the city archives, historians have concluded that it was in Alsace that the custom was born to decorate houses - first of all, of course, the houses of wealthy citizens - for Christmas with Christmas trees. As you can see, the authorities of Celeste were forced to spend money to ensure the protection of the forest from looting by local residents who sought to get the coveted Christmas tree.

Several other, later, archival records have also been preserved: for example, a record from 1546 tells that two workers were instructed to make a road into the forest so that it would be easier to get close to the fir trees and cut down the required number of trees. Another record shows that in 1555 the city authorities, trying to avoid abuses, introduced a ban on cutting down fir trees. Finally, a description was preserved, compiled in 1600 by Balthasar Bek, cupbearer of the city hall ( Balthazar Beck) (1580-1641) and dedicated to how the Christmas tree should be decorated and what were the other customs of that time associated with the celebration of Christmas in the main hall ( Herrenstube) of the town hall of Celeste (then still Schlettstadt).

In particular, Beck mentions that apples and wafers were used to decorate the Christmas tree. He also describes the custom of inviting the children of city council members, the councilors themselves, and other municipal workers who were allowed to "shake" the tree and eat all the delicacies that decorated it. Celeste was soon joined by other Alsatian towns. So, in 1539, a Christmas tree was installed in the Cathedral of Strasbourg.

In fact, the right to be called " home of the Christmas tree contested by several other European cities. For example, a brief documentary evidence has been preserved that on the Christmas holiday on December 24, 1510 in Riga(Latvia) Vendors danced around a tree decorated with fake roses before burning it down (obvious echo pagan traditions). There were also malicious Estonians who claim that the first Christmas tree was installed in Tallinn in 1441.

The debate over where the Christmas tree first appeared has not subsided to this day. sticks to his version, and Church of St. George in December, an annual exhibition dedicated to christmas tree stories. In addition, every December, the Celeste Humanist Library exhibits the same archival document of 1521, which, it is argued, proves that the Alsatian city was born the custom of decorating houses for Christmas with trees.

In any case, apparently, it was here that this custom was documented for the first time in history.

Late 16th - 17th century: Protestant tradition of decorating the Christmas tree

In the 16th century, the tradition of setting up a decorated Christmas tree for Christmas was firmly rooted in Germany, Austria, Alsace and Lorraine. Moreover, supporters reformation this custom was supported in every possible way, emphasizing the symbolism of spruce as the Paradise Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil.

At the end of the 16th century, under the influence of Protestant circles and the urban bourgeoisie, the custom of giving gifts on the occasion of the end of the year moved from St. Nicholas (December 6) on December 24. Since that time, the Christmas tree has always been at the center of the celebrations: it is under it that now they began to put gifts. In addition, with light hand Protestants, the main character of Christmas is not St. Nicholas (who seemed to them too pagan character), but baby jesus (Christkindel), who over time became customary to be depicted as a young girl in a veil, dressed in a white robe and a golden crown with spruce branches and candles (one of the incarnations of St. Lucy). She distributes gifts to obedient children, while the terrible beech (grandfather with rods) ( Pere Fouettard, and in the Alsatian tradition Hans Trapp), in turn, treats mischievous people not with tangerines and sweets, but with a whip.

In the second half of the 16th century, the leaders of the Reformation refused to use the nativity scenes (Christmas scenes) adopted by Catholics for the celebration of Christmas, since Protestants do not have a doctrine of veneration of images. Instead of this Protestants began to develop traditions of decorating christmas trees- after all, this attribute of Christmas, unlike nativity scenes, does not directly depict either Christ or other biblical characters. Martin Luther proposed to consider the Christmas tree as a symbol of the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.

The symbolism of the decoration of the Christmas tree during this period remains fundamentally Christian and does not raise any objections in the Lutheran camp. Moreover, devout Protestants, oriented towards an attentive attitude to the texts of the Old Testament, strongly defended the use of the appropriate decoration of the Christmas tree. Therefore, in addition to the traditional red apples and hosts, at the end of the 16th century, multi-colored paper wrappers in the form of roses and other colors.

These flowers are an allusion to the words the prophet Isaiah about the "root of Jesse"- the tree of Jesse, or family tree Jesus Christ ( Wed. “And a branch will come forth from the root of Jesse, and a branch will grow from its root.” The symbolism of this type of jewelry indicated the origin and birth of the Savior. In addition to this, the flowers on the tree were reminiscent of the words of an old Christmas carol. Es ist ein Rosentsprungen (“A rose has grown”), written just in that era.

The following archival record in Old German belongs to 1605: “ Auff Weihnachten richtet man Dannenbäume zu Straßburg in den Stuben auf. Daran henket man Roßen auß vielfarbigem Papier geschnitten, Aepfel, Oblaten, Zischgold und Zucker“(“At Christmas, a fir tree is installed in the living room. The tree is decorated with paper roses, apples, wafers, gold leaves and sugar.”)

XVIII-XIX century: Christmas - children's holiday

During this period, the religious symbolism of the holiday begins to recede into the background. Instead of apples, a variety of delicacies are beginning to be used to decorate Christmas trees. round shape(for example, stuffed nuts wrapped in gold or silver paper).

The place of guests is now occupied by gingerbread, sweets, waffles and traditional delirious (bredele, also bredela or bredle) - Christmas cookies made from gingerbread dough.

In Alsace, southern Germany and some parts of Switzerland, a special kind of delusions is spreading - the so-called springerle or sprangerly ( sprengerle or springerle), which are printed aniseed gingerbread, most commonly round or heart shaped. They are baked for Christmas, and this tradition has survived to this day.

In addition to the cookies themselves, special molds for baking these sweets are also sold in Alsatian cities. Ceramic relief forms, or "stamps" for creating a certain pattern on the test, can be bought in stores as a souvenir. Previously, such molds were made mainly of wood and decorated with carved scenes. Everyday life or compositions on biblical subjects. You can read more about traditional Alsatian sweets, souvenirs and folk crafts in the article “Folk crafts, customs and traditions of Alsace” .

The specific form of sweets used to decorate the Christmas tree gradually loses its significance in the 19th century and becomes more and more diverse. Since that time, the decoration of the Christmas tree and all the accompanying traditions are considered mainly the prerogative of children. Immediately after the end of the feast of the Epiphany, in early January, boys and girls are now invited to “shake” the Christmas tree and “harvest”, which little sweet teeth do with pleasure.

In the 19th century, gingerbread and delusions began to be additionally decorated with icing, and sometimes also with small colored sprinkles. On top of sugar or chocolate glaze, decorative pictures with various subjects are glued (these were chromolithographs, most often depicting angels or stars). A small wooden fence resembling a hedge is arranged around the trunk of the Christmas tree. front garden in front of a traditional peasant house. The space fenced off in this way symbolizes paradise lost due to the fall of man.

Hence the word Paradiesgartlein("Garden of Eden"), which this Christmas garden was called in Germany. As you can see, Christian symbolism is gradually gaining meaning again.

The Christmas tree comes to France and the UK

The support that the leaders of the Reformation gave to the “Christmas tree tradition” explains the rapid spread of the Christmas tree throughout Protestant regions Northern Europe, including Germany and Scandinavian countries. Do not forget that Alsace at that time was part of German world, as well as the neighboring duchies of Lorraine and Austria. All this time, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the tradition of putting a Christmas tree in houses at Christmas was developed in all the regions mentioned.

At the end of the 19th century, after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, the tradition of decorating the New Year (Christmas) tree finally came to France. The honor of spreading this tradition belongs to the inhabitants Alsace and Lorraine who, not wanting to become Prussians, after the annexation of their regions to Germany, decided to leave for France, the “land of human rights”, which again became a republic.

Even before that, in 1837, the German wife of the heir to the French throne, Ferdinand Philip, Duke of Orleans, Lutheran Helena of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, ordered to install a Christmas tree in the Tuileries Garden, but then the tradition did not take root. (A century earlier, in 1738, another unsuccessful attempt to introduce the tradition of the Christmas tree at the French court was made by the wife of Louis XV, Maria Leshchinskaya). Only the influx of immigrants from Alsace and Lorraine predetermined the mass distribution of the Christmas tree in France. (By the way, thanks to the same Alsatians, the tradition quickly spread to the United States).

Today a gigantic Christmas tree (sapin de Noel, arbre de Noel) can be seen on the central square of every major French city: in Paris and Rouen, on Stanislav Square in Nancy and on Place Kleber in the city of Strasbourg, which bears the proud name of the "capital of Christmas". Since about the 1930s, the custom of putting up a decorated Christmas tree at Christmas has been accepted in almost all French homes.

In the UK, the tradition of Christmas trees, which is typical, was also brought by the ubiquitous Lutherans, consort of Queen Victoria Prince Albert He is the Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. On his initiative in 1841 in Great Britain(more precisely, in Windsor Castle) the first Christmas tree was installed. In 1848, a photograph of the royal family gathered around the Christmas tree appeared in an English newspaper, which was soon replicated in the form of numerous postcards. Court fashion quickly spread among the bourgeoisie, and then the common people. In the Victorian era, it was believed that the Christmas tree should have six tiers of branches and be set on a table covered with white linen. Then it was decorated with garlands, bonbonnieres and paper flowers.

It is curious that even before the appearance in the UK, the tradition of Christmas trees took root in Canada. And only in the 20th century did this custom finally penetrate into the main Catholic countries of Europe - Italy and Spain.

Christmas tree decorations of the New Age: the invention of the glass ball and other innovations

In the middle of the 19th century, natural products used to decorate the Christmas tree began to be replaced with artificial ones. In 1858, a terrible drought broke out in the northern Vosges and Moselle, and the harvest of apples and other fruits turned out to be extremely poor, so that the locals did not have the opportunity to decorate Christmas trees with live fruits. And then glass blower from the Lorraine village of Götsanbrück ( Goetzenbruck), which is near Meisenthal (Meisenthal), came up with the idea of ​​making glass balls in the form of apples and other fruits. Thereafter glass christmas decorations gained popularity far beyond Alsace.

Town Meisenthal(Meisenthal) in Lorraine and today is famous for the skill of its glaziers. For over 20 years (from 1867 to 1894), the head of the Nancy School of Art, Emile Galle, worked at this glass factory: first, the designer studied with the local masters, and then, having become a mature artist himself, closely collaborated with the factory when creating his magnificent works. Today in Meisenthal you can visit International Art Glass Center (Center International d'Art Verrier) and get to know the work of glassblowers better. But this center is not just a museum, but a creative workshop where they regularly experiment with new modern ideas, not forgetting, of course, about traditions. One of the main types of manufactured products are glass balls- almost the most popular Christmas tree decoration today. In addition to balls, local craftsmen make glass decorations in the form of bells, Christmas trees, cones, nuts, birds and many other images.

Apart from glass balls , in the 19th century, a rich arsenal of Christmas tree decorations was replenished with numerous angels dressed in gold or silver foil. Also, gilded spruce trees were often used to decorate Christmas trees. cones and stars of gilded straw and white Bristol board (made from premium paper). Later there was a tradition to place on top of the Christmas tree star- a symbol of the Bethlehem star, which showed the magi the way to the birthplace of Christ. Alternatively, the top of the Christmas tree is sometimes decorated with a spire ( cimier oriental) or a figurine of a golden angel with a Latin inscription Gloria in Excelsis Deo("Gloria").

But the main innovation of this era was the custom of lighting the Christmas tree with festive lights. Initially, for this purpose, they used, of course, candles- despite the risk of fire (by the way, the first person who came up with the idea to decorate the Christmas tree with candles was, as it is believed, Martin Luther enchanted by the beauty of the starry sky). But since wax was quite expensive, instead of candles, oil-filled nutshells with a small floating wick on the surface were often used - or flexible candles that could be wrapped around spruce branches. The illumination was not only decorative, but also symbolic, recalling the birth of Christ, who is the light of the world. At the beginning of the 20th century, electric garlands appeared, which at first few people could afford, they were so expensive.

In the 20th century, there were also widespread artificial christmas trees, which were first invented in the 19th century in Germany. Numerous fans of artificial spruces today claim that they are cheaper, safer and more convenient than real trees. As for the environmental aspect, disputes continue on this issue: there is no consensus on what causes more harm to nature: cutting down natural trees (the advantage of which is that they are biodegradable) or the production artificial Christmas trees from polyvinyl chloride with not always safe additives.

Christmas tree in Catholic countries

Only in the 20th century did the custom of decorating a Christmas tree come to the main Catholic countries of Europe - Italy and Spain. For example, in vatican The tradition of the Christmas tree appeared only in 1982 at the initiative of John Paul II, elected pope four years earlier. At first, not all representatives of the Catholic Church approved of this custom, but gradually the tree became an integral part of the celebration of Christmas in the Vatican, and today not a single Christmas is complete without a magnificent Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square in Rome.

During the prayer of the Angel of the Lord on Sunday, December 19, 2004 Pope John Paul II explained to the believers as follows The meaning and symbolism of the Christmas tree: “[...] a traditional Christmas tree is often installed next to the nativity scene - this is also a very ancient tradition associated with the glorification of the value of life. In winter, this evergreen spruce becomes a symbol of immortality. It is at her trunk that gifts are usually placed. This symbol also has a great Christian meaning, because it reminds of the Tree of Life and the image of Christ - the highest gift of God to mankind. Thus, the Christmas tree carries the message that life does not stop for a moment and that it is a gift, not material, but valuable in itself, a gift of friendship and love, brotherly mutual assistance and forgiveness, the ability to share and sympathize.».

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Today, there are no specific prescriptions for how the Christmas tree should be decorated. It can be lavish decoration or an ascetic, simple outfit. It can be a modern designer Christmas tree that allows a person to show his imagination as much as possible. In any case, this evergreen tree remains a symbol of the Christmas holidays and unforgettable childhood memories.

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Used sources .

Where did the Christmas tree come from?

The custom of decorating a Christmas tree is very old - it is about two thousand years old. Our ancestors worshiped trees, believing that powerful spirits inhabited them, and they had to be propitiated with gifts. The evergreen spruce occupied a special place among the trees, symbolizing life itself and a new rebirth from darkness and gloom.

It is believed that the first Christmas tree was decorated in the 16th century in Alsace, which previously belonged to Germany (now it is part of France). German princesses married foreign princes and brought the winter custom to other European countries.

This is what happened with Russia. As it turned out, the Christmas tree came to Russia relatively recently - about 200 years ago. Under Peter I, Christmas trees were not put up in houses, but decorated with twigs and coniferous paws. In Russia, the custom of putting up a Christmas tree was introduced into everyday life by the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. In 1817, small Christmas trees appeared on the tables in the Winter Palace - in memory of their native Prussia. Once, a green forest beauty was brought to the hall of the palace, on which gifts for the entire royal family and children could easily fit. Soon all the courtiers wanted to have the same Christmas tree. In 1852, the first public Christmas tree was arranged in St. Petersburg. And by the end of the 19th century, this beautiful custom spread throughout Russia.

In the village of Novonikolaevsky, the New Year tree first appeared in January 1899 with funds raised by the priest Poselsky and the Gorlov family. About 200 children attended the celebration. school age. They sang, danced, took part in various games. At the end of the holiday, the children were given sweets, books, toys.

Before the revolution, Novonikolaevites celebrated Christmas (from December 24 to 27) and New Year holidays (January 1). These days were non-working. Christmas trees were sold at all bazaars.

New Year's tree to take and cancel

But everything changed with the coming to power of the Bolsheviks. Many people remember the story about Lenin on the Kremlin tree for children. It was the last tree. Then the authorities decided that a decorated Christmas tree is an attribute of the religious holiday of Christmas, and, therefore, it must be fought in the same way as religion. And the New Year holiday itself is not clear when it was celebrated: either in the old way, or in a new way. Because on January 24, 1918, a new style was introduced.

It was the darkest time for children and parents. The New Year became a working day of the week, they went to bed as usual - tomorrow for a shift. No gifts, no trees. It became impossible to buy them, and it was even dangerous to bring them from the forest.

"Feast of the Happy"

The Christmas tree was rehabilitated only in 1936. Rather, back in 1935, the leader of the Ukrainian Bolsheviks, Pavel Postyshev, made a proposal to arrange a Soviet New Year tree for children. His proposal was supported by both children and adults in all corners Soviet Union. And already this year they began to spend the first New Year holidays. Stalin decided to return the Christmas tree to the houses.

Officially, the celebration of the New Year was resumed with the holiday of the "Main Christmas tree of the country" in the Hall of Columns on January 10, 1937 - in the worst year of terror. The authorities decided to use the New Year holiday for ideological purposes, glorifying the great Stalin and thanking him for our happy life. The workers were given an explanation that supposedly "enemies of the people" used to forbid the New Year holiday, and now justice has triumphed.

In Siberia and Novosibirsk, the first New Year trees were already held in January 1936. In December 1936, the secretary of the West Siberian Regional Committee of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League, Pantyukhov, addressed through the newspaper Bolshevik Smena to all schoolchildren, pioneers, Komsomol members and teachers of the West Siberian Territory with a proposal to celebrate the New Year holiday with a Soviet New Year tree.

“A delegate of all forests came to visit you today”

The city began selling Christmas trees and Christmas decorations. The City Green Space Trust stocked 1,700 green beauties for sale. But they were traded only in two points: in a country nursery and near the building of the Red Torch. And the prices were exorbitantly high: a small Christmas tree cost 12-15 rubles. A little later, Christmas trees began to be sold in Pervomaisky Square. Although, according to the decision of the City Council, they were to be sold in all major stores in the city.

The situation with Christmas tree decorations was no better. The demand for them was insane. In a few days, stores sold them for 250 thousand rubles. But toys were sorely lacking. Local artels did not swing immediately. But the confectionery factory "Red Siberia" produced 700 kg chocolates in a colored foil wrapper that could be hung on a Christmas tree.

Colorfully decorated Christmas trees as samples appeared in the largest stores in the city: Soyuzkulttorg (former trade building) and Soyuzunivermag. But here's the problem - there were no toys for sale that were on demonstration Christmas trees. Another feature of those days was that toys were sold only in bulk. There were several boxes with different equipment, prices - from 56 to 300 rubles.

You can't take everything - you can't exchange or add anything. The toys are mostly cotton and cardboard, and there were so few of them in the set that it was impossible to decorate a yard-long table Christmas tree with them. I had to take three or four boxes. Often, celluloid, dull wooden Toys, rubber dolls, which, due to their bulkiness, could not fit on the Christmas tree.

A little later, the city council ordered that the toys be sold in bulk. Small cardboard Christmas tree decorations appeared on the shelves: watches, handbags, buckets, beautifully and elegantly made. The most expensive of them is a drum for 61 kopecks.

Pushkin and Schmidt were at the carnival

The highlight of the Soviet Christmas tree was carnival. In order to somehow orient the children, newspapers published approximate scenarios of the holiday and sketches carnival costumes. The Pushkin theme was in vogue. Alexander Sergeevich himself enters the hall. His heroes run up to him: “You don’t recognize us? I am Tatyana. And this is Lensky. And here is Mazepa. Eugene Onegin dancing with Marina Mnishek.

In the next room, a hairdresser straightens the beard of the hero of the Chelyuskin epic, Otto Yulievich Schmidt. After the barbershop, "grandfather Schmidt" famously dances a hopak with a mermaid. Famous pilots - Chkalov, Baidukov, Belyakov - are walking right there. A skydiver girl receives a mysterious letter from the postman: "You, girl, are good in all your outfits." But Don Quixote thought about the content of the letter: “Is it possible to choose a nook for walking further away?” To make the costume of the hero Cervantes, the guys were offered to use stilts to be taller.

In the New Year's round dance, red roses, daisies, lilies, familiar to us, circled. Crowds walked "Spaniards", "Ukrainians", "Chinese". Literary characters were in honor: Taras Bulba, Gulliver, Belikov (the hero of Chekhov's story "The Man in the Case"). The birdhouse and beetroot costumes were quite original in their manufacture. Imagine a walking house with a roof, and the head of a child in a bird mask peeps out of a round hole ... The beetroot frame was also voluminous. It was made from rods and wire. The child sat inside, and his head looked out from the leaves of the root crop. Many schoolchildren put on masks and half masks of various animals, birds, heroes from Krylov's fables, Chukovsky's fairy tales. Only the guys had to make them themselves. After all, in stores at that time they sold masks exclusively of drunkards and loafers.

Ludmila Kuzmenkina