CHRISTMAS TREE

A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine or fir, traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. An artificial Christmas tree is an object made to resemble such a tree, usually made from polyvinyl chloride 

The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts or other foods. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which with electrification could be replaced by Christmas lights. Today, there are a wide variety of traditional ornaments such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

The custom of the Christmas tree developed in early modern Germany with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly the 15th century, in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Christmas trees are hung in St. George's Church, Sélestat since 1521. It acquired popularity beyond Germany during the second half of the 19th century. The Christmas tree has also been known as the "Yule-tree", especially in discussions of its folkloristic origins.

Georgia

Georgians have their own traditional Christmas tree called Chichilaki, made from dried up hazelnut orwalnut branches that are shaved to form a small coniferous tree. These pale-colored ornaments differ in height from 20 cm (8 in) to 3 meters (10 feet). 

Poland

There was an old pagan custom of suspending at the ceiling a branch of fir, spruce or pine called Podłaźniczka associated with Koliada. The branches were decorated with apples, nuts, cookies, coloured paper, stars made of straw, ribbons and colored wafers. People believed in the tree magical powers linked with harvesting and success in the next year.

Facts on Christmas tree

·         . The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ.

·         The first decorated Christmas was in Riga, Latvia in 1510.

·         Christmas trees remove dust and pollen from the air.

·         Artificial trees will last for six years in your home, but for centuries in a landfill.

·         59 percent of real Christmas trees harvested are recycled in community programs

Records on Christmas tree

·         The largest floating Christmas tree measures 85 m (278 ft 10 in) in height and was erected as an annual tradition in Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for Christmas 2007.

·         350 garlands measuring 3 m (9 ft 10 in) long and fitted with 576 lights were hung on the tree. Using voltage calculations, witnesses were able to ascertain exactly how many lights were successfully lit throughout the required 5 minutes.