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Inventing the Christmas Tree by Bernd Brunner
A colorfully decorated Christmas tree, lit with twinkling lights, provokes awe and delight. We understand the lighted tree as a central symbol of the Christmas season, but what are the roots of the tradition? Who first thought to bedeck a tree, to bring it inside? How and where did the local activity grow into a widespread tradition, and how has the Christmas tree traveled across time and continents? Bernd Brunner's brief history—enriched by a selection of delightful and unusual historical illustrations—spans many centuries and cultures to illuminate the mysteries of the Christmas tree and its enduring hold on the human imagination.
Tracing various European traditions from the Middle Ages forward, Brunner finds that only in the nineteenth century did Christmas trees become common in European family homes. In North America, the imported custom soon fascinated, though some found the tree not quite compatible with a Puritan mindset. Brunner explores how the Christmas tree entered mainstream American culture and how in recent times it has become globally popular. He introduces Jacqueline Kennedy's Nutcracker Tree in the White House, trees used to celebrate the New Year in Turkey, and the world's most expensive Christmas tree, erected in Abu Dhabi. The author also considers the place of the artificial tree and the ecological dimensions of the Christmas tree trade. A book rich with anecdote and insight, Inventing the Christmas Tree will enchant a wide audience.
Tracing various European traditions from the Middle Ages forward, Brunner finds that only in the nineteenth century did Christmas trees become common in European family homes. In North America, the imported custom soon fascinated, though some found the tree not quite compatible with a Puritan mindset. Brunner explores how the Christmas tree entered mainstream American culture and how in recent times it has become globally popular. He introduces Jacqueline Kennedy's Nutcracker Tree in the White House, trees used to celebrate the New Year in Turkey, and the world's most expensive Christmas tree, erected in Abu Dhabi. The author also considers the place of the artificial tree and the ecological dimensions of the Christmas tree trade. A book rich with anecdote and insight, Inventing the Christmas Tree will enchant a wide audience.
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First published January 1, 2011
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December 13, 2012
Fun and quick read; perfect for just before Christmas! Very interesting little book about the Christmas tree, where it came from and where it's going. The history of lights, decorations, tree stands and more. Some things I knew and some things were a surprise. A lovely little book to celebrate the holidays with.
December 24, 2012
This short little book explores the largely incomplete history of today's iconic Christmas tree. As Brunner puts it, "What drove people to go off into the forest, chop down a tree, put it in their house, and decorate it in the first place? Is it really just a pagan remnant - as conventional wisdom has it - or is the history behind it more complex? What is the symbolic message it conveys?" [p.3]
As German writer Brunner digs deep into the few records and vague accounts of the tree, it quickly becomes clear that there's no definite answer, no straight-forward path to the origins of the Christmas tree, no pivotal moment - nothing as clear-cut as, say, Coca-Cola's dressing of Santa Claus in red and white for their advertising, something we've been stuck with ever since.
Still, I had thought that, Christianity co-opting a pagan festival at the winter solstice just as they did for Easter, that the tree must go way back and have some quietly profound meaning. Let's just say, I was hoping to hear that, because it would have been so interesting. I was also remembering that British TV show where a group of people went off the grid and lived exactly as people lived in the middle ages, from the food they cooked and how, to building their own homes with the tools they would have had etc. I remember seeing the episode around Christmas time and they made a feast and brought in greenery to decorate the house, and I think there was some mention of superstitions. Brunner does delve into some of the superstitions, but often they were superstitions against having a tree in the house.
In fact, according to Brunner, the Catholic church was the last denomination to embrace the Christmas tree - for the longest time, they outright denounced it. It seems that, by and large, the Christmas tree came together in an adhoc manner, originating in certain parts of Germany, and it is a natural evolution of our deep connection to the natural world, no matter how industrial and computerised we become.
According to Brunner's digging into historical records, the Christmas tree is quite the modern invention, one that didn't really take root until the 19th century - so it's not near as old as I'd imagined. The details of the early versions of the trees is quite fascinating, especially the mechanised trees under which nativity scenes or other decorations were placed. Later, the practice of putting presents under the trees evolved. They used to put real candles in the branches, and house fires were unsurprisingly common at that time of year. There are lots of interesting little details in this book, along with some colour plates and other reproductions of paintings in which early versions of the Christmas tree figure.
Brunner does some solid research here, and his writing - translated as it is - is smooth and clear. He doesn't have that personable, charismatic or charming quality that goes so well with popular non-fiction: he can be a bit dry at times, though perhaps you can only write as interestingly as your subject-matter. There was only one moment of humour, and the lack of historical documentation to support research into the Christmas tree was disappointing. But not Brunner's fault. He did an admirable job of picking out descriptions and other details of its origins and metamorphosis from old novels, newspapers, advertisements, public announcements and various other sources. It was me who was disappointed, that something I love so much should have had such ordinary beginnings, and could just as easily have disappeared as quietly as it had arrived.
It will only take a few hours out of your day to read about the history of the Christmas tree, but it it well worth it. If nothing else, it fills the little gap of ignorance in your head that is always there when we think about Christmas trees - and I love filling the many little holes of ignorance that exist in my knowledge, and understanding the history of things helps me understand the world I live in better.
As German writer Brunner digs deep into the few records and vague accounts of the tree, it quickly becomes clear that there's no definite answer, no straight-forward path to the origins of the Christmas tree, no pivotal moment - nothing as clear-cut as, say, Coca-Cola's dressing of Santa Claus in red and white for their advertising, something we've been stuck with ever since.
Still, I had thought that, Christianity co-opting a pagan festival at the winter solstice just as they did for Easter, that the tree must go way back and have some quietly profound meaning. Let's just say, I was hoping to hear that, because it would have been so interesting. I was also remembering that British TV show where a group of people went off the grid and lived exactly as people lived in the middle ages, from the food they cooked and how, to building their own homes with the tools they would have had etc. I remember seeing the episode around Christmas time and they made a feast and brought in greenery to decorate the house, and I think there was some mention of superstitions. Brunner does delve into some of the superstitions, but often they were superstitions against having a tree in the house.
In fact, according to Brunner, the Catholic church was the last denomination to embrace the Christmas tree - for the longest time, they outright denounced it. It seems that, by and large, the Christmas tree came together in an adhoc manner, originating in certain parts of Germany, and it is a natural evolution of our deep connection to the natural world, no matter how industrial and computerised we become.
The attraction of all things green, colorful, and glittering in the cold season is elemental. Green has long been considered the color of hope, and midwinter greenery was thought to radiate and summon vitality and fertility, to keep harm at bay. The custom of celebrating the changing year with greenery was already known among the Romans, who used bay branches. In the fourth century, Saint Ephrem the Syrian reported that houses were decorated with wreaths for the festival on January 6. Medieval sources mention evergreen branches, with sharp needles, fastened to the door of the house or hung in the home. Demons, witches, lightning, and disease - they believed - were powerless in the face of this life force. [p.12]
According to Brunner's digging into historical records, the Christmas tree is quite the modern invention, one that didn't really take root until the 19th century - so it's not near as old as I'd imagined. The details of the early versions of the trees is quite fascinating, especially the mechanised trees under which nativity scenes or other decorations were placed. Later, the practice of putting presents under the trees evolved. They used to put real candles in the branches, and house fires were unsurprisingly common at that time of year. There are lots of interesting little details in this book, along with some colour plates and other reproductions of paintings in which early versions of the Christmas tree figure.
Brunner does some solid research here, and his writing - translated as it is - is smooth and clear. He doesn't have that personable, charismatic or charming quality that goes so well with popular non-fiction: he can be a bit dry at times, though perhaps you can only write as interestingly as your subject-matter. There was only one moment of humour, and the lack of historical documentation to support research into the Christmas tree was disappointing. But not Brunner's fault. He did an admirable job of picking out descriptions and other details of its origins and metamorphosis from old novels, newspapers, advertisements, public announcements and various other sources. It was me who was disappointed, that something I love so much should have had such ordinary beginnings, and could just as easily have disappeared as quietly as it had arrived.
It will only take a few hours out of your day to read about the history of the Christmas tree, but it it well worth it. If nothing else, it fills the little gap of ignorance in your head that is always there when we think about Christmas trees - and I love filling the many little holes of ignorance that exist in my knowledge, and understanding the history of things helps me understand the world I live in better.
December 12, 2023
A HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Author Bernd Brunner wrote in the first chapter of this 2012 book, “A colorfully decorated, fragrant tree, like with strings of twinkling lights---the most important and enduring symbol of Christmas… A visual magnet, it lightens the gloom of winter, delivers a slice of the forest within the walls of the home, and, on Christmas Eve, awakens joy and hope that the sun will soon return for longer hours… Of course, trees are not normally found in houses, nor are they decorated with candles, straw stars, tinsel, or glass balls… But the tree in this book usually has only its crown and trunk---and its place is in the home. A wholly remarkable tree, in short, [is] in need of an explanation. Although now inseparable from Christmas for us, the tree isn’t found in this form in early Christianity at all. It is missing even from church songs and prayers. Something mysterious surrounds this tree that first appeared in the German cultural context, before it literally branched out into other central and northern European countries, America, Russia, and beyond, capturing the imagination of many people. This book also tells a small global story.” (Pg. 1-3)
He recounts, “The wood wrought from trees is also found in the rituals of many cultures, It has been used for thousands of years in celebrations of the winter solstice---the so-called Yuletide---in northern Europe… it was the symbolic equivalent of the living tree. These rituals probably began as elements of a fertility myth. To honor the gods, worshippers set wood alight to scare away the spirits. They believed that at the solstice the sun took up a new life and began its fight against the forces of winter that shrouded everything in darkness. As the days began to lengthen the sun flaunted its victory over winter. In time, these pre-Christian rituals came to be associated with the Christmas season, in particular the revels of Twelfth Night, on January 5, the eve of Epiphany.” (Pg. 11)
He reports, “A link can be made between the ritual of our Christmas tree and the paradise play, which had existed since the Middle Ages. At a time in which many people couldn’t read and books were a valuable possession, biblical stories were dramatized as mystery plays… Onstage… was a green tree of paradise, decorated with apples and communion hosts… The tree of paradise … begins to transcend the religious context of the play and move toward a role in the Christmas of the guilds.” (Pg. 16)
He explains, “For a long time the Christmas tree in Germany was considered Protestant… and the aversion of many Catholics went so far that at the end of the nineteenth century many simply called Protestantism the ‘Tannenbaum religion.’ The custom therefore became common earlier in the evangelical regions of northern Germany than in the Catholic parts of the south and west. In the middle of the nineteenth century Christmas trees already found in churches---decorated with angels, crosses, wafers, and straw stars. These last were meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem while also reminding the viewers of the straw in the manger.” (Pg. 31)
He observes, “The American way of celebrating Christmas is relatively recent, evolving in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In the United States the roots of the Christmas tree reach back to the early 1800s… Few seem to have brought the custom along, which in turn suggests limited diffusion of the tree in their homeland. In any case, such an icon surely would have been reviled by the Puritans, who associated evergreens with heathen superstition. In fact, even Christmas itself was denounced as an artificial invention without any biblical warrant.” (Pg. 52)
He states, “heavy use of lights---often in the yard in front of a house---is a cliché of the American Christmas celebration---and of American Christmas films. Symmetrical trees are highly regarded as well---a preference famously lampooned in the popular television special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ which encouraged affection for imperfect trees. A ‘Charlie Brown Christmas tree’ can be anything from a skimpy tree with but a few branches to a single spruce decorated with one red ball.” (Pg. 58)
He points out, “some American Christians believe to this day that the Christmas tree is a pagan and sinful custom. They are disturbed by the attention the tree receives during the holiday season. Some base their stance on the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 10… Defenders of the Christmas tree would argue, though, that the tree Jeremiah refers to is an idol, and the decorated Christmas tree is not. If it were, would its worshippers simply throw it away at the end of the Christmas season? Most Christians simply enjoy the tree with a clear conscience.” (Pg. 60-61)
He points out, “In an era of heightened cultural sensitivity, some yuletide celebrants are careful to refer to the ‘holiday tree’ rather than the ‘Christmas tree,’ precisely to guard against giving offense to those who don’t celebrate the Christian feast. But whatever the tree is called, the effects it unleashes, the associations it triggers, remain somewhat unpredictable. And this is also true of the sentiment that such a tree can create in various cultural contexts, if simply because its meaning is subject to changes with time and place. As a Christian symbol the tree inspires a quietude, reflectiveness, and joy in places where the story of Christmas is known and prized. In contrast, where the story is not part of the culture, the tree may elicit resistance, or may simply take on layers of meaning unrelated to those that Christians attribute to it.” (Pg. 78-80)
He concludes, “Was the Christmas tree something consciously and deliberately ‘invented’? Was someone searching for it? Probably not, but it was found nonetheless. It would be wonderful to resurrect that moment when the tree first unfolded in its magnificence and put its viewers in a state of awe. Let us assume that the nameless inventor of the Christmas tree knew about the mythical trees of the past and the old heathen customs. According to our current state of knowledge, the Christian paradise play … .played a decisive role in the emergence of the Christmas tree. In addition, the use of the tree in the play might have lent particular emphasis and dynamism to the custom as we know it today. In a certain sense the evolution of the tree is but a repetition of the development of Christmas itself---a celebration that also came into the world incomplete, with roots deep in the mythologies of various Eurasian peoples, and only slowly came into its own.” (Pg. 90-91)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the history and culture of the Christmas tree.
Author Bernd Brunner wrote in the first chapter of this 2012 book, “A colorfully decorated, fragrant tree, like with strings of twinkling lights---the most important and enduring symbol of Christmas… A visual magnet, it lightens the gloom of winter, delivers a slice of the forest within the walls of the home, and, on Christmas Eve, awakens joy and hope that the sun will soon return for longer hours… Of course, trees are not normally found in houses, nor are they decorated with candles, straw stars, tinsel, or glass balls… But the tree in this book usually has only its crown and trunk---and its place is in the home. A wholly remarkable tree, in short, [is] in need of an explanation. Although now inseparable from Christmas for us, the tree isn’t found in this form in early Christianity at all. It is missing even from church songs and prayers. Something mysterious surrounds this tree that first appeared in the German cultural context, before it literally branched out into other central and northern European countries, America, Russia, and beyond, capturing the imagination of many people. This book also tells a small global story.” (Pg. 1-3)
He recounts, “The wood wrought from trees is also found in the rituals of many cultures, It has been used for thousands of years in celebrations of the winter solstice---the so-called Yuletide---in northern Europe… it was the symbolic equivalent of the living tree. These rituals probably began as elements of a fertility myth. To honor the gods, worshippers set wood alight to scare away the spirits. They believed that at the solstice the sun took up a new life and began its fight against the forces of winter that shrouded everything in darkness. As the days began to lengthen the sun flaunted its victory over winter. In time, these pre-Christian rituals came to be associated with the Christmas season, in particular the revels of Twelfth Night, on January 5, the eve of Epiphany.” (Pg. 11)
He reports, “A link can be made between the ritual of our Christmas tree and the paradise play, which had existed since the Middle Ages. At a time in which many people couldn’t read and books were a valuable possession, biblical stories were dramatized as mystery plays… Onstage… was a green tree of paradise, decorated with apples and communion hosts… The tree of paradise … begins to transcend the religious context of the play and move toward a role in the Christmas of the guilds.” (Pg. 16)
He explains, “For a long time the Christmas tree in Germany was considered Protestant… and the aversion of many Catholics went so far that at the end of the nineteenth century many simply called Protestantism the ‘Tannenbaum religion.’ The custom therefore became common earlier in the evangelical regions of northern Germany than in the Catholic parts of the south and west. In the middle of the nineteenth century Christmas trees already found in churches---decorated with angels, crosses, wafers, and straw stars. These last were meant to represent the Star of Bethlehem while also reminding the viewers of the straw in the manger.” (Pg. 31)
He observes, “The American way of celebrating Christmas is relatively recent, evolving in the latter part of the nineteenth century. In the United States the roots of the Christmas tree reach back to the early 1800s… Few seem to have brought the custom along, which in turn suggests limited diffusion of the tree in their homeland. In any case, such an icon surely would have been reviled by the Puritans, who associated evergreens with heathen superstition. In fact, even Christmas itself was denounced as an artificial invention without any biblical warrant.” (Pg. 52)
He states, “heavy use of lights---often in the yard in front of a house---is a cliché of the American Christmas celebration---and of American Christmas films. Symmetrical trees are highly regarded as well---a preference famously lampooned in the popular television special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ which encouraged affection for imperfect trees. A ‘Charlie Brown Christmas tree’ can be anything from a skimpy tree with but a few branches to a single spruce decorated with one red ball.” (Pg. 58)
He points out, “some American Christians believe to this day that the Christmas tree is a pagan and sinful custom. They are disturbed by the attention the tree receives during the holiday season. Some base their stance on the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 10… Defenders of the Christmas tree would argue, though, that the tree Jeremiah refers to is an idol, and the decorated Christmas tree is not. If it were, would its worshippers simply throw it away at the end of the Christmas season? Most Christians simply enjoy the tree with a clear conscience.” (Pg. 60-61)
He points out, “In an era of heightened cultural sensitivity, some yuletide celebrants are careful to refer to the ‘holiday tree’ rather than the ‘Christmas tree,’ precisely to guard against giving offense to those who don’t celebrate the Christian feast. But whatever the tree is called, the effects it unleashes, the associations it triggers, remain somewhat unpredictable. And this is also true of the sentiment that such a tree can create in various cultural contexts, if simply because its meaning is subject to changes with time and place. As a Christian symbol the tree inspires a quietude, reflectiveness, and joy in places where the story of Christmas is known and prized. In contrast, where the story is not part of the culture, the tree may elicit resistance, or may simply take on layers of meaning unrelated to those that Christians attribute to it.” (Pg. 78-80)
He concludes, “Was the Christmas tree something consciously and deliberately ‘invented’? Was someone searching for it? Probably not, but it was found nonetheless. It would be wonderful to resurrect that moment when the tree first unfolded in its magnificence and put its viewers in a state of awe. Let us assume that the nameless inventor of the Christmas tree knew about the mythical trees of the past and the old heathen customs. According to our current state of knowledge, the Christian paradise play … .played a decisive role in the emergence of the Christmas tree. In addition, the use of the tree in the play might have lent particular emphasis and dynamism to the custom as we know it today. In a certain sense the evolution of the tree is but a repetition of the development of Christmas itself---a celebration that also came into the world incomplete, with roots deep in the mythologies of various Eurasian peoples, and only slowly came into its own.” (Pg. 90-91)
This book will be of great interest to anyone studying the history and culture of the Christmas tree.
December 25, 2021
Интересна и малка книжка, която разглежда историята на коледното дърво.
В началото ми беше доста скучна и буквално ме приспиваше докато авторът обясняваше за корените от древни времена, но в един момент историята навлиза в по-модерната епоха и изказът се сменя с език, който ми беше по-познат.
Имаше някои много приятни изненади, за които не знаех. Примерно, че традицията за коледното дърво е с немски корени и че американците много дълго не са го приемали като начин на празнуване и са го намирали за.... глупост. Най-вече обаче ми хареса аналогията с събуждането на природата - украсяваш вечнозелено дърво един вид да създадеш илюзията, че цъфти и така да ти напомни, че пролетта е зад ъгъла и отново всичко ще е в светлина и цвят. Определено вече така ще гледам на коледното дърво. ^^
Двете неща, които смъкнаха оценката на книжката беше, че езикът беше доста научен на моменти. Кой да ти знае, че книга за коледно дърво може да звучи толкова ерудирано. Също така малко повечко снимки щяха да бъдат оценени с голяма благодарност. Въпреки това е едно чудесно и образователно четиво по празниците. :)
В началото ми беше доста скучна и буквално ме приспиваше докато авторът обясняваше за корените от древни времена, но в един момент историята навлиза в по-модерната епоха и изказът се сменя с език, който ми беше по-познат.
Имаше някои много приятни изненади, за които не знаех. Примерно, че традицията за коледното дърво е с немски корени и че американците много дълго не са го приемали като начин на празнуване и са го намирали за.... глупост. Най-вече обаче ми хареса аналогията с събуждането на природата - украсяваш вечнозелено дърво един вид да създадеш илюзията, че цъфти и така да ти напомни, че пролетта е зад ъгъла и отново всичко ще е в светлина и цвят. Определено вече така ще гледам на коледното дърво. ^^
Двете неща, които смъкнаха оценката на книжката беше, че езикът беше доста научен на моменти. Кой да ти знае, че книга за коледно дърво може да звучи толкова ерудирано. Също така малко повечко снимки щяха да бъдат оценени с голяма благодарност. Въпреки това е едно чудесно и образователно четиво по празниците. :)
December 13, 2017
I guess I should get the bad news out of the way first: the stilted translation of the German made the book very hard to enjoy. Many sentences were long and convoluted, and the effect was to make a collection of pretty interesting information very dry. The structure of the book itself--one text divided by section headings--has no overarching narrative. On page 30, you learn about Christmas pyramids; on page 31, how the Christmas tree was called a "Luther tree" and associated with Protestantism. That said, Brunner brings up all kinds of crazy and unusual facts about the history of Christmas trees around the world. A fifteen-ton artificial tree in Vladivostok was felled by a windstorm in 2009. An American inventor patented a gas-lit, cast iron Christmas tree in 1870. In small homes in the nineteenth century, people would hang the Christmas tree from the ceiling so it didn't consume floor space. Nineteenth-century Americans were deeply skeptical of the Christmas tree, so it remained mostly a German ethnic custom. While in some wealthy German households of the same time, the parlor would be filled with many Christmas trees. All fascinating tidbits to share over Christmas dinner.
January 9, 2018
A fascinating dive into the roots of the Christmas tree. I especially appreciate the focus on scholastic sources, and verifiable records for exploring this subject.
There is a dabble of ancients using trees during rites, and their meanings in context, yet the focus is on the Germanic roots of the modern expression of the Christmas tree.
The history isn't nearly as straight-forward as some would like to believe, and present.
Reading about guilds sponsoring a tree decorated in edibles to be offered to the poor. Later incarnations have various methods of presenting the branches, rather than a full tree that are hung in the rafters, or lain over lintels and windows. Even the names for this tree/branch varied amongst the regions.
I enjoyed as much learning about the various history of the decorations of fruits, breads, and candies, before their were purely ornamental selections like candles, and glass figures on the tree. As well as, the tradition of gift-giving during this season--which differs still depending upon the region.
All the way, to the present day with national trees, and how many nations share this tradition during the season.
There is a dabble of ancients using trees during rites, and their meanings in context, yet the focus is on the Germanic roots of the modern expression of the Christmas tree.
The history isn't nearly as straight-forward as some would like to believe, and present.
Reading about guilds sponsoring a tree decorated in edibles to be offered to the poor. Later incarnations have various methods of presenting the branches, rather than a full tree that are hung in the rafters, or lain over lintels and windows. Even the names for this tree/branch varied amongst the regions.
I enjoyed as much learning about the various history of the decorations of fruits, breads, and candies, before their were purely ornamental selections like candles, and glass figures on the tree. As well as, the tradition of gift-giving during this season--which differs still depending upon the region.
All the way, to the present day with national trees, and how many nations share this tradition during the season.
January 6, 2020
Pros first: The illustrations are lovely and unique. I may never read it cover to cover again but I am keeping it in the collection because it is fun to look at and leaf through. It also has great tidbits. You know when you're reading a nonfiction book and you start hearing yourself share facts with people in your life because you read them in a book? That's this book. It's also short and sweet.
Cons: it's well researched but it feels a little disorganized...there's a little bit of hey, I just learned this thing, where in this book can I stick this? The lack of actual chapters doesn't help. It starts out feeling pretty scholarly...it doesn't stay that way but it's off-putting at first. And while the author's own research indicates a mixed history of the tree, a combination of remnants of old holidays with Christian tradition (which makes sense,) as he gets on in the book he himself seems to cling to just one side of the story, kind of mocking modern cultures who embrace a more secular version of the tree.
Overall, worth the read, especially given how short it is.
Cons: it's well researched but it feels a little disorganized...there's a little bit of hey, I just learned this thing, where in this book can I stick this? The lack of actual chapters doesn't help. It starts out feeling pretty scholarly...it doesn't stay that way but it's off-putting at first. And while the author's own research indicates a mixed history of the tree, a combination of remnants of old holidays with Christian tradition (which makes sense,) as he gets on in the book he himself seems to cling to just one side of the story, kind of mocking modern cultures who embrace a more secular version of the tree.
Overall, worth the read, especially given how short it is.
December 8, 2018
A good book for Christmas. Not sentimental but nostalgic. What makes this different for me is that it's a German book, with a German perspective. So, for the first two-thirds, the references are all to German writers. That was interesting itself. One thing I learned about the American Christmas from a German perspective is that Americans are known for going wild over Christmas lights. That's certainly true; we do.
January 7, 2022
There are so many interesting facts included in this fairly short read including the mysterious origination and perpetuation of the iconic seasonal shrubbery. This perennial plant has so many interesting uses, tied with the historical and geographical surroundings that are handled well by Brunner. His style lends itself well to this study about the tree and my wife and I enjoyed his wit and cleverness in making this journey through the origins of the Yuletide plant an enjoyable one.
December 26, 2022
This collection is a gathering of research from multiple sources which included references to Christmas trees. The author searched newspaper articles, books and other historical records. There are vintage pictures of Christmas trees and families.
October 5, 2018
Quick, academic-like read with fascinating content. Amusing for Christmas fans who can appreciate the connections between religion, tradition, and culture.
December 8, 2019
Quick read for Christmas time. The modern section didn't grab me, but the history section was very interesting.
January 1, 2020
A useful reference with some history and some anecdotes, also just some beautiful images with which to leave one year and start another.
December 24, 2024
Liked: history cross culture. Dislike: more history.
December 28, 2015
I try to select a Christmas-themed book at this time of year and I'm happy to say that this year's choice was better than last year's (John Grisham's Skipping Christmas). Brunner does an excellent job packing a lot of information and anecdotes about this beloved symbol of the season in a small volume. I enjoyed the different sections of the work, such as what was originally used to decorate the tree and how it has been set up in the home down through the ages. A bit I knew about (such as the concept of hanging the tree from the ceiling to save floor space...also serves as an excellent symbol of the cross that Christ would die upon) but some things I had no idea about (such as the fact that diminutive Denmark actually provides the majority of Christmas trees to Europe).
My only knock on the book is that for all the different sections of the book, there doesn't seem to be a central thesis or line through the whole work, other than that the Christmas tree is timeless and has undergone many changes to its symbolism throughout the ages. I suppose that alone should be good enough to support the book, but it seemed to me that too often, the work was an amalgamation of Christmas tree trivia. I like trivia, so I didn't really mind, but for those searching for something more coherent, with a thematic arc, disappointment may follow.
Overall, a nice book to read over the Christmas season and one that I would recommend, albeit with some small reservations.
My only knock on the book is that for all the different sections of the book, there doesn't seem to be a central thesis or line through the whole work, other than that the Christmas tree is timeless and has undergone many changes to its symbolism throughout the ages. I suppose that alone should be good enough to support the book, but it seemed to me that too often, the work was an amalgamation of Christmas tree trivia. I like trivia, so I didn't really mind, but for those searching for something more coherent, with a thematic arc, disappointment may follow.
Overall, a nice book to read over the Christmas season and one that I would recommend, albeit with some small reservations.
December 16, 2012
Interesting short read on how the Christmas tree has become part of our celebration.
January 14, 2013
A very scholarly approach to the origins of the Christmas Tree. Interesting!
December 27, 2013
Small book packed with interesting information about Christmas customs. Charming illustrations. The perfect length to deal with its subject.
January 18, 2015
Details are fuzzy so you don't walk away with definitive information. Perhaps unavoidable given what's known about the Xmas tree's history...but a little frustrating nonetheless.
February 13, 2017
A delightful little read from the German perspective about the origin of customs related to the Christmas tree. Beautiful old illustrations.
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