The History of Christmas Decorating

The Nights Before Christmas
Holy boughs of evergreen branches made into spheres and adorned with bay, rosemary, holly and mistletoe were common in the Middle Ages. Boughs were blessed by local priest and displayed inside entrances of homes. An embrace beneath the bough became a gesture of peace. Puritans unsuccessfully banned Holy Boughs; later, berries were plucked from boughs with each embrace - no berries, no kisses.

Cultures and Christmas decorations migrated to America; Christmas decorations varied according to customs. German settlers brought wreaths and candles. Fruit, nuts and gingerbread gifts and ornaments arrived from Europe. Fruit decorations became evidence of wealth; in poor economies, locally grown fruits were incorporated into Christmas decorations, and then consumed as part of the Christmas feast.

Christmas Past
Angel, cherub and animal ornaments originated in 16th century Germany. Wax from honeycombs was pressed into wooden molds and made into ornaments; some ornaments were made of plaster. The gilded tin angel was a product of the 18th Century. The first hand-blown Christmas balls were silvered and sold by wives of 18th century glassblowers to avert evil from homes at Christmastime. In the mid-19th Century gas increased glass blowing productivity. Christmas trees of the late 1800s boasted plentiful displays of candles, fruit, silver foil icicles, chains of Czechoslovakian beads, wiry tinsel, lace, paper, cardboard and metal Christmas ornaments. Christmas lights were manufactured in the 1880s, and plastic ornaments appeared at the turn of the 20th century.

Prelude to Christmas Present
In the early to mid 1900s, outdoor Christmas decorations consisted of large colorful lights, mangers, plastic Santas and sleighs, Frosties, angels, soldiers, candles, and wreaths. Mass production of Christmas ornaments and lights began in the 1950s; bubble lights became a 20th century fad. The 60s brought artificial boughs and silvery aluminum Christmas trees. Paper ornaments returned with a revival of natural Christmas decorations, as did foil, wood, and cardboard Christmas ornaments. The 70s recaptured Victorian-themed Christmas ornaments; beloved characters were transformed into ornaments in the 80s. From the 1990s to the present, focus turned to motion, music, lights, theme trees, larger-than-life Christmas inflatables, and an occasional emphasis on nostalgic and retro Christmas decorations.

6 Ft. Air Blown Santa with Reindeer Snow Globe