The Christmas Tree

The custom of the Christmas tree became widespread in Victorian times, however it was limited to upper and middle classes. It started to become common practice in big cities. But in rural regions, the decorated tree became truly familiar only during the 1930’s.

Up to the 1950’s, it was Germany and European countries that remained the prime producers of crafted ornaments. Artisans worked with various materials such as pressed, cast and drawn glass, metal, wax and wood. They also made little figures out of cotton and angel hair (of Lyon origin).

At the end of the 19th century, people started to use much larger trees instead of small ones. This new trend came with the arrival of the first metal stands on the market. Because these stands were expensive for most families, they often used two pieces of wood nailed together in a cross or they planted the tree in a pot filled with earth.

Far from disappearing, the tradition of the natural tree is alive more than ever. In Canada, the cultivation of balm trees is in full expansion. Each year, over a million of these firs are cut down, of which tens of thousands are exported to the United States, Mexico, Venezuela and even Germany.