The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree boasts a rich history.

Modern Christmas trees are typically adorned with a wide variety of ornaments, including glass ornaments, handcrafted decorations, candy canes, tinsel, and sparkling lights. However, this wasn’t always the case. Early Christmas trees were often decorated with edible items, such as apples, in observance of the Adam and Eve feast on December 24th.

Germany is widely recognized as the originator of the Christmas tree tradition, with 16th-century records indicating Christians bringing trees into their homes for the holidays, according to History.com.

The Christmas tree’s decoration style has undergone significant evolution.

In the 17th century, apples were the customary adornment for Christmas trees, as noted by the National Christmas Tree Association.

The feast of Adam and Eve, celebrated on December 24th, was commemorated with a “Paradise Play,” recounting the story of Adam and Eve.

This play featured a “Paradise Tree,” decorated with apples, according to The Catholic Company website.

Setting up “Paradise Trees” in homes was a common practice, according to sources such as Britannica and CatholicProfiles.org.

During the 18th century, evergreen boughs, also decorated with apples, gilded nuts, and red paper strips, were hung from home ceilings, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

German settlers introduced the Christmas tree to the United States in the 19th century.

Initially, Christmas trees were smaller and simpler, often placed on tables, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.

Commercial Christmas tree sales began in the mid-1800s in the U.S., and by the late 1800s, glass ornaments became a popular decoration, as stated by the National Christmas Tree Association.

Today, families personalize their Christmas tree decorations.

Some favor a cohesive design using limited colors, while others prefer a more eclectic mix of homemade and traditional ornaments, colorful lights, ribbons, and other decorations.