From humble 16th-century German beginnings to today’s magnificent trees adorned with traditional ornaments, discover the birthplace of the Christmas tree tradition on Grand Circle's Christmas Markets Along the Danube River Cruise.
Answer: Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
Answer: Germany in the 16th century.
Picture a winter evening in 1510s Germany: snow blankets the ground, candles flicker in frosted windows, and inside homes across the land, families gather around something that would one day become a global phenomenon—an evergreen tree adorned with glowing candles and handmade ornaments.
This cherished holiday tradition—now celebrated in homes from Tokyo to Toronto to Kathmandu—began in the historic region of Livonia (modern-day Estonia and Latvia) and took deep root in early modern Germany, where devout Christians first brought these decorated trees into their homes. While other cultures had long revered evergreen boughs as symbols of eternal life, it was the Germans who transformed a simple pine tree into what would become the quintessential symbol of Christmas celebration worldwide.
The practice gained prominence when Protestant reformer Martin Luther—inspired by a nighttime walk through a forest near his home in Wittenberg—added candles to his family's tree. According to historical accounts, Luther was struck by the beauty of stars twinkling through evergreen branches and wanted to recreate this celestial display for his children.
Early German Christmas trees were adorned with apples, nuts, and other edible decorations. These natural ornaments were later joined by paper roses, tinsel (originally made from real silver), and hand-blown glass baubles from the glassmaking town of Lauscha. The tradition spread throughout German-speaking Europe, with each region adding its own distinctive touches.
The Christmas tree tradition remained largely contained within German borders until the 1800s. Its popularity exploded internationally when Germany's Prince Albert (husband of England’s Queen Victoria) introduced the custom to the United Kingdom in 1840. The British royal family's decorated tree at Windsor Castle captured the public's imagination after an illustration appeared in the London News in 1848, leading to widespread adoption throughout the British Empire and beyond.
Today, Germany continues to embrace its role as the birthplace of this cherished tradition. Cities across the country host spectacular Christkindlmarkts (Christmas markets), where towering evergreens stand as centerpieces amid medieval town squares. The most famous of these markets—including those in Nuremberg, Dresden, and Munich—draw millions of visitors annually who come to experience the magical atmosphere that has evolved from those first 16th-century trees.
5 Fun Facts About Germany’s Christmas Trees:
- The world's first artificial Christmas trees were developed in Germany in the 19th century, made from goose feathers dyed green.
- Riga, Latvia, claims to be the site of the first decorated Christmas tree, marking the spot with a plaque in the town square.
- The glass ornament industry in Lauscha, Germany, became so renowned that F.W. Woolworth made his fortune by importing these decorations to America in the 1880s.
- The tradition of using pickle-shaped ornaments (Weihnachtsgurke) is often mistakenly attributed to Germany but was actually a marketing creation by Woolworth's in the 1880s.
- Germany's tallest Christmas tree, regularly displayed in Dortmund, typically stands over 145 feet tall and requires a crane for decoration.
Experience the magic of German Christmas markets and explore the birthplace of this beloved holiday tradition on Grand Circle’s Christmas Markets Along the Danube River Cruise.
