A Christmas tree is a decorated tree such

A Christmas tree is a decorated tree such as spruce, pine, or fir associated with the celebration of Christmas

The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany (where it is today called Weihnachtsbaum or Christbaum or "Tannenbaum")

The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts, white candy canes and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts and flowers.

In the 18 th century, it began to be illuminated by candles which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification.

An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the archangel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

Medieval mystery plays that were given on 24 December commemorated the day of Adam and Eve in various countries. In such plays, a tree decorated with apples (to represent the forbidden fruit) and wafers (to represent the Eucharist and redemption) was used as a setting for the play. The apples were replaced by round objects such as shiny red balls.

Typical Christmas wafers

Glass baubles were first made in Lauscha, Germany, garlands of glass beads and tin figures that could be hung on trees.

Delicate mold-blown and painted colored glass Christmas ornaments were a speciality of the glass factories in the Thuringian Forest, especially in Lauscha in the late 19 th century, and have since become a large industry

Before electric bulbs came about, candles were used to light trees - and a mat (UK) or skirt (US) was often placed on the floor below the tree to collect wax drippings and needles.

A nativity scene, model train, or Christmas village may be placed on the mat or skirt.

A creation of Christmas village (or putz) is rooted in the holiday traditions of the Moravian church. In American Moravian homes, the construction of a nativity scene, or putz, at the base of a Christmas tree was a very common holiday activity. The term was derived from the German verb putzen, which means "to clean" or "to decorate. "

As Christmas presents arrive, they are generally placed underneath the tree on the tree skirt or hung on the tree.

Bells, especially Church Bells, have traditionally been associated with Christmas for a long time. In the Anglican and Catholic churches, the church day starts at sunset. So a service on Christmas Eve after sunset is traditionally the first service of Christmas day! In churches that have a Bell or Bells, They are often rung to signal the start of this service.

A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that is hung on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives.

The mighty Oak has served as a key symbol for Indo-European belief since the very earliest religious and spiritual practice in the continent.

Donar's Oak (or Thor's Oak) was a sacred tree of the Germanic pagans located somewhere in Hesse, Germany. According to legend, during the Christianisation of the german tribes by Saint Boniface the oak was cut down in 8 th century and replaced by the fir (whose triangular shape symbolizes the Trinity) as a "sacred" tree.

Behind this great oak dedicated to Donar, the Irminsul and the Sacred tree at Uppsala (described by Adam of Bremen in the 11 th century), stands a mythic prototype of an immense world tree, described in Norse mythology as Yggdrasil.

1. Did you enjoy your New Year party this year? 2. Do you usually celebrate Christmas holidays at home or go out? 3. What was the best present you got this year? 4. Do you know the history of Christmas? 5. Do you decorate the Christmas tree for the New Year (or Christmas)? 6. What unique decorations do you do at your house? 7. Do you ever decorate outside of your house too? Perhaps windows or trees outside? 8. Do you go to the church for Christmas? 9. Do you celebrate Christmas or New Year at school or work? 10. Do you exchange presents with your friends at school or work? 11. Do you hang up a stocking (over a fireplace)? 12. Do you write Christmas cards or participate in New Year Elephant (or Secret Santa)?

13. How long is your Christmas vacation? How long do you keep your Christmas tree up after Christmas? 14. Why is it popular to celebrate Christmas with a feast? 15. What are some popular foods for the Christmas season? 16. Do people behave differently during Christmas? 17. Who is Santa Claus? 18. Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were a child? 19. Why do people sometimes write "Christmas" with an "X"? (Xmas) 20. Do you usually watch some New Year movies on the holiday season? 21. If you had a million dollars, what would you do during Christmas time?