Early Celebrations:
For thousands of years people have held celebrations where they would have feasts and decorations. Some of the earliest celebrations in the northern hemisphere were the summer and winter solstice, but more especially the winter solstice as this marked the time of the days getting longer and the nights getting shorter. The winter solstice also coincided with other festivals which were celebrated from around mid December to early January. These festivals were decorated with items of the times, such as, garland and other greenery, candles, feasting and dancing. For Christmas, the earliest reference is from the Calendar of 354, which mentions the celebration of Christmas on December 25. At the time no one knew the actual birth date of Jesus but it is assumed that early Christian leaders picked this date to coincide with many other pagan festivals as a means of facilitating their transition into Christianity. Although today many bible scholars believe that Christ was actually born in the early spring. In those days most of the decorations were outside and not inside, garland, candles, trees and food were set in the streets and hung on the outside of buildings.
The Spread of Christmas Decorations:
As Christianity spread throughout Europe many of the old festivals and decorations were incorporated into the new Christian celebrations. The idea of using greenery as decorations was meant to signify rebirth or the birth of Christ. Its believed that the Christmas Trees Artificial decorations originated in Germany, where it was decorated with candles and then later tinsel and hand blown glass balls. Queen Charlotte the wife of King George III brought the Christmas tree tradition from Germany and introduced it into England. This was later reinforced by Prince Albert during the time of Queen Victoria. And as German immigrants came to America they also brought with them, their Christmas traditions and decorations. Click to view the Christmas Decorations Ideas.
Modern Outdoor Christmas Decorations:
As people decorate today they use real or Artificial Garland and Lighted Christmas Garland greenery, including ivy, poinsettias and wreaths to bring a festive mood not only to the inside of the house but the outside as well. Many neighborhoods, communities or even whole towns get together to decorate for the Christmas season with German Glass Ornaments, Large Nutcrackers, Indoor Christmas Lights, 72 Inch Princess Pine Giant Christmas Wreaths and Nativity Figurines. Often communities give awards to homes for their outdoor decorations. A neighborhood might have each street pick a theme and all or most of the homes on that street decorate for that theme, such as snowmen, Santa, Christmas carols, North Pole and nativity scenes. The same scene is played out in much of the world, even in nations that are typically non-Christian where the holiday is more of an economic event and less about celebrating the birth |
