Christmas & everything that goes with it
For many people, the run-up to Christmas is one of the most contemplative times of the year: baking biscuits, decorating the Christmas tree and meeting the family. Christmas also includes customs that recur every year, such as a decorated Christmas tree, an Advent wreath or presents under the tree. You can read everything you need to know about Christmas traditions in our guide.
Table of contents
- Christmas - the celebration of love and security
- What's the difference: Christmas or Christmas Eve? Father Christmas or Christ Child?
- What does the Christmas tree stand for & when was it first erected?
- Is an artificial Christmas tree an alternative to a real Christmas tree?
- What do Christmas baubles symbolise & where does the custom of hanging tinsel on the tree come from?
- Where does the tradition of the Advent wreath come from & what does it stand for?
- 24 little doors: The history of the Advent calendar
- Sweeten the time until Christmas in our online shop: DeubaXXL
Christmas - the festival of love and security
Many people look forward to the Christmas season every year: gingerbread, biscuits, lots of presents, a lavishly decorated Christmas tree or a nativity scene - for us, all of this is part of a traditional Christmas celebration. In many families, Christmas always comes down to the essentials: Spending time with loved ones. You can read about the time-honoured customs and rituals behind all our Christmas traditions in our guide to Christmas.
What's the difference: Christmas or Christmas Eve? Father Christmas or baby Jesus?
Christmas Eve or Christmas? Christ Child or Christmas? When is it celebrated and what is it actually? Christmas Eve is on 24 December and is the eve of Christmas. Many families give presents on this evening. Christmas is on 25 December and, in the Christian faith, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christ Child and Father Christmas are actually not as old as Christmas itself. Martin Luther invented the Christ Child as a Christmas figure who was supposed to bring Christmas presents. The exact origin of Father Christmas is not known, but he was mentioned in the well-known song "Morgen kommt der Weihnachtsmann" in 1835 and has been in competition with the Christ Child as the bringer of gifts ever since.
What does the Christmas tree stand for & when was it first put up?
Green in the middle of winter was already a sign of new life in the Middle Ages. At that time, people hung up fir or mistletoe branches to celebrate Christmas. The branches were also said to help drive away evil spirits. According to legend, the first Christmas tree stood in Freiburg's Heilig-Geist-Spital in 1419. It was hung with gingerbread, apples and nuts, for which small bags were specially made. Around 1800, it became fashionable to put up a Christmas tree in the living room. Initially, the trees were still hung from the ceiling if there was not enough space in the living room. It wasn't until the 19th century that Christmas tree candles brought a sparkle to the eyes of all family members.
Is an artificial Christmas tree an alternative to a real Christmas tree?
In most households, it is common practice to put up Nordmann firs, silver firs or blue spruces at Christmas. However, real fir trees have some disadvantages that artificial Christmas trees do not have. Firstly, real fir trees needle after a short time, which means that the hoover or dustpan has to be constantly swung around. The Christmas tree also has to be disposed of again. As a result, the remaining needles are scattered all over the home. Artificial Christmas trees, on the other hand, do not needle and can even be used for several years. This is not only easy on the wallet, but also on the environment. You can store the artificial injection-moulded Christmas tree to save space and take it out again every year on 24 December.
What do Christmas baubles symbolise & where does the custom of hanging tinsel on the tree come from?
Christmas tree baubles are originally reminiscent of the fruit on the tree of knowledge from which Adam and Eve ate. As mentioned above, Christmas trees were initially decorated with apples, nuts and gingerbread. It was only over the course of time that the decorations on the Christmas tree became more varied. Around 150 years ago, Christmas tree decorations were made from cardboard, usually in animal shapes that could be painted by children. Only since glass blowers discovered the production of Christmas tree baubles have fir trees been decorated with Christmas baubles. In addition to the classic Christmas tree decorations, wooden figures and sweets are also a must.
Thin silver or gold metal strips are part of a traditional Christmas tree in many households. The custom of using tinsel dates back to 1878. Back then, Christmas trees were decorated with tinsel to symbolise icicles.
Christmas also includes the pre-Christmas period
Where does the tradition of the Advent wreath come from & what does it stand for?
The classic Advent wreath often only consists of fir branches and four candles. Modern versions offer many different colours and shapes. The first Advent wreath dates back to 1833. In a children's home, the children always wanted to know when Christmas would finally be. Johann Hinrich Wichern then took a wagon wheel and attached 24 candles to it, one for each day from the first Advent until Christmas Eve. The first Advent wreath thus had 20 small and four large candles. A candle was lit for the four Sundays of Advent and every day, so that the children knew how many times they still had to sleep. Today's Advent candles usually have four candles on them, one for each Advent.
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24 fairy tales: The story of the Advent calendar
For many people, especially children, the Advent calendar is also part of the run-up to Christmas. The original Advent calendar consisted of 24 candles and had a similar purpose to an Advent wreath. The first printed Advent calendars were sold at the beginning of the 20th century. It wasn't until after the Second World War that Advent calendars were developed with little doors to open, behind which surprises such as chocolate were hidden.
Sweeten the time until Christmas in our online shop: DeubaXXL
Whether Christmas baubles, fairy lights or an artificial Christmas tree - in our wide range, you can sweeten the run-up to Christmas with more than just gingerbread. In our online shop, you will find all kinds of Christmas decorations to decorate your home in a cosy way.
