Most 19th century Americans found the Christmas tree strange. The earliest records were proposed by German settlers in Pennsylvania in the 1830s, although trees have become a tradition in many German families. German communities in Pennsylvania had trees as early as 1747. However, it was not until the 1840s that the Christmas tree was regarded as a symbol of paganism and was not accepted by most Americans.
Like many other holiday Christmas customs, it is not surprising that the tree was adopted so late in the United States. Christmas was sacred to the Puritans of New England. William Bradford, the pilgrim’s second governor, wrote that he tried to eliminate “pagan ridicule” of the celebrations and despised any understatement. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached the “pagan tradition” of Christmas carols, decorating trees and desecrating any happy expression of “sacred events”. In 1659, the Massachusetts General Court enacted a law criminalizing any observance of December 25 (except church worship); People were fined for hanging decorations. This severe seriousness lasted until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants destroyed the Puritan heritage.
Illustrations in the December 1848 edition of the London News illustrated show Queen Victoria and her family around a Christmas tree.
In 1846, the famous royal family member Queen Victoria and her German Prince Albert were sketched in the London illustrated in a Christmas tree with children. Unlike the previous royal family, Victoria was very popular among her subjects and what she did in court immediately became popular – not only in Britain, but also in fashion conscious east coast American society. The Christmas tree is here.
By the 1890s, Christmas decorations arrived in the United States from Germany, and the popularity of Christmas trees was also rising all over the United States. It is worth noting that the Christmas tree used by Europeans is about 4 feet tall, while Americans like Christmas trees from floor to ceiling.
In the early 20th century, Americans mainly decorated trees with homemade decorations, while German American sects continued to use apples, nuts and almond biscuits. Popcorn is dyed brightly and mixed with berries and nuts. Electricity brings Christmas lights, making it possible for the Christmas tree to glow continuously for several days. Therefore, the Christmas tree began to appear in town squares all over the country, and it has become an American tradition to put a Christmas tree at home.
