Exploring the evolution of Christmas decorations
Whether you make them at home or buy them from a market, Christmas decorations continue to create an air of excitement and festive cheer.
Everybody loves a good Christmas decoration, don’t they? There’s just something about bringing home the tree, opening that dusty box of last year’s decorations and working out which ones to keep and hang on the tree. It’s the anticipation, the excitement – and we love it!
And with the children on holiday, you can keep them busy making hand-crafted ornaments and personalised Christmas cards for your family, friends and neighbours. Read on to discover more about the history of Christmas decorations – and how you can get your very own printable Mary’s Meals Christmas decorations to colour in and hang on your tree!
Early roots and Christian traditions
Although Christmas decorations are now an essential part of many people’s festive celebrations, their origins stretch back hundreds of years, blending ancient traditions with religious symbolism. The way many of us decorate our homes for Christmas today – from twinkling lights to shimmering ornaments – reflects centuries of cultural change and evolution.
The tradition of decorating during winter dates back to ancient times, long before Christmas became a widespread celebration. Early cultures, particularly the Romans and the ancient Norse people, held winter solstice celebrations that involved decorating their homes with greenery to symbolise life and rebirth during the darkest part of the year.
With the spread of Christianity, these customs were often incorporated into Christmas celebrations. Early Christians used evergreen plants – such as holly, ivy and mistletoe – to symbolise eternal life and hope. This merging of ancient and Christian practices laid the basis for many of the Christmas decorations we recognise today.
The Christmas tree – from Germany to the rest of the world
The Christmas tree is undoubtedly one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday season. It has its roots (pun intended!) in 16th-century Germany, where Christians decorated small evergreen trees with fruit, nuts and candles – with the latter resembling the stars twinkling on a winter night.
The custom of decorating Christmas trees spread slowly across Europe. In the 1840s, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert – who was of German descent – brought the tradition to England. A picture of the royal family gathered around a Christmas tree helped cement the tradition, and from there, it spread to North America and beyond.
Evolving traditions – ornaments, lights and tinsel
As the Christmas tree gained popularity, so did the desire to add more elaborate decorations. In the 1800s, German artisans created hand-blown glass ornaments, known as baubles. These glass ornaments quickly became popular and were exported to other parts of Europe and the United States.
Electric Christmas lights were first introduced in the late 19th century. Edward H. Johnson, a friend of Thomas Edison, created the first string of electric Christmas lights in 1882, and by the early 20th century, they had become a safer option for decorating the tree. Tinsel was another popular addition. Originating in 17th-century Germany, tinsel was initially intended to reflect candlelight and add sparkle to the tree.
From tradition to innovation and beyond
Today, Christmas decorations have become more diverse, with families adding more cultural elements. Modern Christmas decorations blend tradition with innovation, often featuring different kinds of lights and themed ornaments that reflect personal tastes and family traditions.
Despite these changes, the essence of Christmas decorations – bringing light, colour and warmth to our homes in the dark winter season – remains unchanged, making it an essential part of our festive celebrations.
In celebration of Christmas this year, we’re pleased to give you your very own printable Mary’s Meals Christmas decorations.
Simply click this link, fill the form in at the bottom of the page and print them out at home or at your local library. Now you're ready to colour them in and hang them on your tree!
By spreading the word about Mary’s Meals and the vital work we do, you’re helping us put hope on the menu this Christmas.
Jo Gordon is our Grants Lead at Mary’s Meals.
It costs just £19.15 or €22 to provide a child with school meals for an entire school year. There are many ways you can help support our work and help us reach the next hungry child waiting for Mary’s Meals. There may even be a Mary's Meals office or volunteer group in your area. Learn more about how you can get involved and make a difference.