How People from Other Countries Decorate Their Christmas Trees

Curious About How People Worldwide Decorate Their Christmas Trees? Every year, individuals around the globe creatively embellish evergreen trees with ornaments for Christmas celebrations. Many believe this delightful custom originated in Germany with Martin Luther in the 1600s; however, adorning trees during wintertime was actually a pagan tradition that predates its Christmas association. In modern times, this cherished ritual has expanded, making ornaments as integral to the holiday season as the trees themselves. Indeed, traditions vary globally, with each culture adding its unique touch to tree decoration. Here are some common ways in which people across different countries decorate their Christmas trees.

China

In China, Christians represent a minority. This influences how they celebrate Christmas, especially in terms of decorations. Due to the limited availability of traditional ornaments, many individuals creatively craft their own. Common decorative elements include traditional paper crafts like paper lanterns, fresh flowers, and homemade garlands, showcasing their resourcefulness and unique approach to the holiday spirit.

Germany

In Germany, Christmas decorating traditions vary by region. In Bavaria, people creatively tie straws into festive shapes using beautiful threads to adorn their Christmas trees. Most trees are adorned with Christmas lights, and some even feature live candles. According to legend, Martin Luther was the first to decorate a Christmas tree with candles, symbolizing the stars in the sky.

Australia

In the United States, we think of Christmas as a winter holiday, but in the southern hemisphere, December marks the beginning of summer! Consequently, many Australians decorate their Christmas trees with a summer theme, incorporating natural elements like seashells to create unique decorations.

Ukraine

In addition to the traditional Christmas decorations, people in Ukraine uniquely incorporate spiders and spider webs into their tree-decorating scheme. While spiders may not always be a welcome sight in the home, they symbolize good luck in Ukrainian culture. By adorning the tree with these creatures, families hope to invite luck and prosperity into their lives for the upcoming year.

Greece

Although the tree has been a symbol of Christmas since the 1600s, it still isn’t fully adopted in Greece. Those who do put up a tree use fairly standard decorations, such as strings of Christmas lights and homemade ornaments. Many Greeks stick with their original tradition of elaborately decorating ships and boats for Christmas.

Africa

In Africa, Christmas celebrations differ from the traditional evergreen tree decorations. As this holiday occurs during the summer months, Christians in countries like Uganda adorn palm and mango trees, both indoors and outdoors, using natural items to reflect the local environment.

Italy

In Italy, those who decorate the Christmas tree typically use classic decorations, including strings of twinkling lights and beautifully handcrafted ornaments. This trend is particularly prevalent in regions that border Germany. However, in many parts of Italy, there is a stronger emphasis on adorning the home with traditional nativity scenes.

Exploring how different cultures approach Christmas decorations can inspire your own tree design! All that’s left is to choose the perfect Christmas gifts to place under the tree. Consider sending one of these fabulous gift baskets to your friends overseas!