This Tree Glows Brightly On Snow Covered Foggy Christmas Morning Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the highlights for young and old during the season. The tree is a central symbol of Christmas. Whether erected as centre pieces in city and town squares, along streets, in stores and yards or in private households, the sight of a festive tree is familiar to all readers. But where does that tradition come from? The tradition of decorating one's home with evergreens is an ancient one. Evergreens in the form of branches of holly and ivy were brought into the home as a symbol of life, hope and strength in the midst of the cold and dark winter season. According to pre-Christian beliefs, holly and ivy also kept evil spirits away and had protective powers. Customs such as potting trees and bringing them indoors during winter was common pagan practice across the world. Today's Christmas tree, however, originates from German traditions. Medieval plays, staged during the season and especially on Christmas Eve, often depicted biblical themes in which a 'paradise tree' symbolised the Garden of Eden.

Decorated with apples, nuts, and candles, these 'paradise trees' became a common feature in people's homes in the 17th and 18th centuries.By the 19th century, the custom was widely popular and spread across Western Europe. Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, introduced it in England in the 1840s. Although we do not know who brought the first Christmas trees to Ireland, we can be certain that it became fashionable here in the 1800s. German and Dutch immigrants established the festive tree in the United States. Christmas trees are trimmed in a variety of fashions, but traditional decorations include tinsel, glass ornaments, toys, fruits like apples and oranges, fairy lanterns, life-like robins ornaments, straw angels, and candy. The two main traditional colours are green and red. Green is symbolic of the Christian belief in eternal life; red is a symbol of Christ's blood. The Christmas tree-top is often crowned with a star, representing the star that led the three magi Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior to Bethlehem.In many Irish homes, the Christmas tree is erected on 8th December, the day of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Thus, the Christmas tree is also perceived as the Tree of Life with its candles or lights representing Jesus.best outdoor christmas decorations uk Whereas some people prefer artificial Christmas trees, there is a special atmosphere associated with real trees and the fragrance of conifers. home decor modern vintageIn Ireland, there are three main conifer species of Christmas trees: Noble fir, Lodgepole pine and Norway spruce. what is the best paint gun for houseIn recent years, the Noble fir has become the most popular choice for a Christmas tree due to its dense blue-green needles.christmas decoration ideas for high school

But where do all these Christmas trees come from? Companies such as Coillte run Christmas tree farms; best exterior paint qualitya lot of planning and agricultural knowledge is required and the business of Christmas tree farming is an all-year activity. home decor ideas wallpaperIt benefits the environment by contributing to the sustainability of forest cover and by providing habitats for birds and other animals. They can be easily recycled and are ecologically friendly. Dr Anna Pilz is an Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of English, University College Cork. She is researching the symbolism of trees in Irish literature.Irish Christmas traditions usually begin on the first or second weekend of December with many families starting their own preparation for the festivities.  

Each family will have their own Christmas traditions but a lot of popular practices still remain today.Traditions during Christmas in Ireland have been passed down through family generations but a more modern approach to the celebrations like the 12 Pubs of Christmas have gained popularity over the past few years.There are various ways the Irish celebrate Christmas but for most its about spending time with loved ones, gift giving, and enjoying good food such as traditional Christmas mince pies.Most villages, towns and cities decorate the streets with holy symbols, lights and a large Christmas trees, usually located in the heart of the community. Churches build cribs to display the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the 3 Kings which is usually placed in front of the Church property.Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world.

In Old Ireland, so to speak, holly and ivy was used to decorate the Irish home before the Christmas tree was introduced. It was believed the more berries on the holly would mean better luck in the new year and today many families still tend to hang holly in their homes although the Christmas tree remains the main centre piece.A large candle is placed in the front window of the family home, to symbolize guidance for Mary & Joseph before the birth of Christ. The symbolic candle is explained to the children but they are also told the candle helps Santa find his way to their home.Many homes will place Christmas ornaments on the fireplace and tables so they are on display. Such ornaments consist of angels, elves, snowflakes, Santa’s and anything else that would represent Christmas. There is no special reason behind the display of Christmas ornaments, only that it helps with the atmosphere of such a special holiday.With Ireland being considered as a country with strong ties to Christianity many families will attend church together on Christmas day. 

A Vigil Mass is usually held at Midnight and involves each member of the congregation lighting a holy candle that has been blessed by the bishop or high priest. Some churches will sing traditional Christmas carols such as The Wexford Carol during their midnight service.Probably the best time during Christmas for the kids is the morning, when they are allowed to open their new presents that arrived from Santa. It also seems to a big competition for Irish children to see who can wake up the earliest to see what gifts Santa has left under the Christmas tree.The feast of Christmas is celebrated in Ireland with a large meal fit for a king. It is the biggest meal cooked in a family house-hold out of all meals through-out the year.Preparations for Christmas dinner usually start on Christmas Eve with the slow cooking of the turkey and preparation of the vegetables and any other goodies that may come with the large feast. An Irish Christmas dinner may consist of turkey, ham, chicken, stuffing, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, vegetables and a brave attempt at a Christmas Pudding or even homemade Christmas mince pies.