Today, the celebration of the New Year cannot be imagined without a Christmas tree decorated with toys and garlands. This fluffy and prickly beauty brings to every home the feeling of an impending celebration, and the smell of pine needles instantly revives childhood memories of fun and gifts.
Few can imagine a New Year's holiday without a tree, but the tradition of decorating it appeared relatively recently. Not everyone knows in what ways this custom came to us, and when exactly it is necessary to put up a New Year tree.
The origins and features of the holiday
New Year's Eve and Christmas time are the darkest and most mystical times. According to the beliefs of the ancient peoples who inhabited Europe, it is at the end of the year that nature dies in order to be reborn again, and the old calendar is replaced by the report of new days. It was believed that evergreens have a special vitality during this period. To get a piece of it, all family members touched the tree brought into the house, and it was customary to touch pets with its branches.
The earliest information about New Year's holidays dates back to the 16th century. It was then that guilds and guilds from the Alemannic region of Alsace began to organize Christmas celebrations for their children. Then a small fluffy Christmas tree or pine tree was hung from the ceiling and its branches were decorated with sweets and toys. At the end of the holiday, children were allowed to shake gifts from the branches.
By the middle of the 17th century, the beautiful tradition of decorating a tree on the eve of the Christmas holidays was fully formed, and New Year's trees, standing on the floor and decorated with all kinds of toys, appeared in all wealthy houses in Germany and Austria. We set up a Christmas tree 1-2 days before Christmas to please the children and bring the atmosphere of a fun holiday into the house.
In the 1840s, the custom of placing a festively decorated tree appeared in Russia as well. At first, he did not have much success, but over time, Christmas trees appeared at Christmas markets, and in the homes of the nobility, and in village clubs.
When to decorate the tree
Today, many people start preparing for the Christmas and New Year holidays in early December. For a month, gifts are bought, New Year's events are planned with colleagues, a menu for a festive feast is thought out. In order to create a great mood for themselves in advance, some people decorate the New Year tree in early December.
Most of our fellow citizens are trying to time the appearance of a fluffy beauty in the house by the end of December, therefore, on the 24th-25th, there is a Christmas tree in almost every house. Some believe that it is best to decorate the tree on New Year's Eve. Then she is put and dressed up on December 31, just before sitting down at the festive table.
When exactly to decorate your home with a New Year tree, everyone decides for themselves. The main thing is that she brings with her a good mood and confidence that the new year will be more successful and richer than the outgoing one. By the way, don't forget to remove the tree after the holidays. This can be done either after the onset of Christmas according to the Orthodox calendar - January 8-9, or after the New Year celebrations according to the old style - January 14-15.
