VI
EN
France - Red Apple
Hundreds of years ago, food items such as fruits, candies, and nuts were used to decorate Christmas trees in France. In particular, the French often hung red apples on their trees because red apples symbolize the fruit of wisdom – the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve ate in the Garden of Eden.
However, according to legend, in 1858, a severe drought caused crop failure, leaving people without apples and other fruit to decorate their Christmas trees. Therefore, a glassmaker in the village of Lorraine created fruit-shaped ornaments made of glass to replace real fruit. These glass ornaments remain popular to this day.
Ukraine - Spiders and spiderwebs
One of the world's strangest Christmas tree decorations involves spiders and spiderwebs in Ukraine. This tradition originates from a famous folk tale: Once upon a time, a family was so poor they couldn't afford Christmas decorations. So, a spider helped them decorate their tree with its webs, and the next morning, the webs turned into gold and silver, lifting the family out of poverty. Today, spider and spiderweb decorations are still hung on trees throughout Ukraine in the hope of bringing similar good fortune.
USA - Popcorn
In the 1950s and 60s, many American families decorated their Christmas trees with strings of popcorn because, at that time, Christmas trees were placed outdoors and Americans often left food on the trees for birds and other wildlife. This decorating style was so popular that people still hang popcorn on their trees even though Christmas trees are now placed indoors.
Australia - Seashells
In Australia, Christmas falls in the summer, so the decorations are usually less associated with winter. Instead of using snow and ice ornaments, Australians often hang seashells on their Christmas trees. Each seashell usually has a different style, and can be made of real shells or plastic and glass, and is elaborately decorated.
Finland - Geometric ornaments
In Finland, people have used geometric ornaments for centuries. Traditionally, these are made from barley straw and hung above the dining table from Christmas until mid-summer to pray for a bountiful harvest. This custom remains popular in Finland today, and people often use geometric ornaments in a variety of materials and colors.
Denmark - Paper-folded heart
Danes have a tradition of folding red and white paper into heart shapes to hang on their Christmas trees. These classic decorations are called "julehjerte" in Danish. One of the first people to decorate a Christmas tree with paper hearts was the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen. Those paper hearts are now on display at the museum named after him in the city of Odense, Denmark.
Iceland - Yule Lads
In Iceland, people believe in the legend that children are visited by 13 Yule Lads, not Santa Claus. For 13 days before Christmas, children place a shoe by their bedroom window, and a Yule Lad will leave a gift inside, such as candy, a toy, or rotten potatoes for the mischievous children. These 13 Yule Lads are also hung on Christmas trees throughout Iceland.
Germany - Candles
Germany has many famous Christmas decorating traditions, and placing burning candles on the Christmas tree is one of the most popular. Legend says that theologian and monk Martin Luther invented this decoration in the 16th century because he wanted to create the image of a starry Christmas night sky. Today, Germans often use electronic candles for safety reasons.
Netherlands - Kerstkransjes biscuits
During Christmas, the Dutch hang kerstkransjes cookies on their Christmas trees. These are round cookies with various flavors such as butter, almond, and chocolate, and are tied to the branches with red ribbons. At Christmas, everyone enjoys these delicious cookies together and leaves the red ribbons on the tree.
Japan - Origami Bird
Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan; in fact, many people consider it a normal workday. However, those who celebrate Christmas in Japan still decorate their homes lavishly for the occasion. Nowadays, many shops in Japan sell Christmas decorations, but many years ago, buying Christmas decorations in Japan was not easy. Therefore, people decided to fold their own origami birds and hang them on their Christmas trees.
