EVERY YEAR, BETWEEN 25 AND 30 MILLION AMERICANS celebrate Christmas with at least one tall evergreen proudly displayed in a prominent place in their home. The Christmas tree is a strong symbol of Christmas and serves as the family’s center of attention. In fact, it is the center of most Christmas ceremonies all over the world. These trees have a long and interesting history which is skillfully summarized in the following video:
The Christmas trees of the 1940s varied in size and shape because they were cut straight from the forest and brought home on the top of the family car. This natural tree was most likely on the small size and a bit scraggly. A few branches could be missing or the entire tree might tilt slightly to one side; but to the family that owned it, it was beautiful!
Decorations during this time focused in three areas: Angel hair, colored lights or bulbs, and a spectacular tree topper. Since Angel hair was made from fiber glass, tiny bits of glass cut into the skin as it was handled. The strings of lights were wired in a series so if one light went out, the rest did the same. The tree topper was the crowning decoration, and proud families used the same one year after year.
After World War II, when live trees became available again, many families purchased Christmas trees that had been grown on official tree farms. These trees were larger in size and more attractive in shape. The variety of tree decorations used in the 1950s reflected a comfortable standard of living and the results of new machinery that permitted mass production.
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The 50s also introduced various kinds of artificial trees. They were available in green and white, and had branches that folded flat. These were usually used in homes where space limitations prohibited a live tree.
Aluminum trees were introduced in the mid-fifties and gained instant popularity. The trees were decorated with glass balls and lit by a revolving multicolored wheel.
Flocked trees were also popular during this time, but they proved difficult to make until Sno-Flock appeared in 1951 and simplified the process. A device attached to a vacuum cleaner and provided aerosol-dispensed artificial white, pink or blue snow. It sold for $4.49, and the results were advertised to last 30 days and claimed to be fire retardant.
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No matter what kind of a tree a family had, it was a source of pride. Tradition dictated—in my family at least—a visit be made to each relative’s home to admire their tree-of-the-year. We were always polite, of course; but in our hearts we knew that the tree in our living room was the most beautiful of all.
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