It is a staple in millions of homes up and down the country, even if you do opt for a plastic version.
The Christmas Tree as we know it has been a key part of festive celebrations in Britain for nearly 200 years.
The tradition was largely popularised by Queen Victoria when, in 1848, she was depicted in an engraving posing with her beloved husband Prince Albert and their children around their own tree, which was decked out with decorations.
On the tree were baubles, which, although they were invented in Germany in the 16th century, became mainstream in Britain thanks to the new royal connection.
Tinsel meanwhile stems from 17th century German manufacturers, whilst fairy lights became a big thing after being used on the West End stage in 1882.
Below, MailOnline delves into the history of the most crucial parts of your Christmas tree, as well as the festive fern itself.
![It is a staple in millions of homes up and down the country, even if you do opt for a plastic version. The Christmas Tree as we know it has been a key part of festive celebrations in Britain for nearly 200 years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/14/79129201-12881075-image-a-27_1702996397315.jpg)
It is a staple in millions of homes up and down the country, even if you do opt for a plastic version. The Christmas Tree as we know it has been a key part of festive celebrations in Britain for nearly 200 years
The Christmas tree
The Christmas tree as we know it became a staple in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert – who was German – were seen posing next to their beautifully adorned tree.
The scene in 1848 proved hugely popular and led to newspapers documenting the royal tree each year.
This gave rise to a tradition that continues to this day. By then, trees had been playing a key role in festive celebrations in what is now Germany for decades.
Prince Albert also sent decorated trees to schools and army barracks around Britain.
The first royal tree is thought to have been set up at Queen’s Lodge, Windsor, in December 1800 by Queen Charlotte, the German consort of King George III.
![The Christmas tree as we know it became a staple in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were seen posing next to their beautifully adorned tree](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/14/79129293-12881075-image-a-28_1702996443310.jpg)
The Christmas tree as we know it became a staple in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were seen posing next to their beautifully adorned tree
![Queen Elizabeth II stands in front of the royal Christmas tree at Buckingham Palace in 2011](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/14/79129365-12881075-image-a-29_1702996801416.jpg)
Queen Elizabeth II stands in front of the royal Christmas tree at Buckingham Palace in 2011
Before the royal connection, trees did still play a part in Christmas traditions in Britain.
In Cornwall, Devon and Kent, Britons would carry out what was known as ‘Wassailing the Orchard’ – the custom of saluting apple trees on Christmas eve to encourage a prolific crop the next year.
A wassail – or drinking song – was sung, and a toast was then thrown from the wassail bowl to the apple-trees.
Fairy lights
The history of fairy lights as know them today today is intertwined with the development of electric lighting itself.
In 1881, the Savoy Theatre opened in London and was the first building to be lit entirely by electricity.
The following year, its owner, Richard D’Oyly Carte, commissioned English inventor Sir Joseph Swan to create lights that would cover the dresses of the lead fairies on the opening night of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera Iolanthe.
![In 1881, the Savoy Theatre opened in London and was the first building to be lit entirely by electricity. The following year, its owner, Richard D'Oyly Carte, commissioned English inventor Sir Joseph Swan to create lights that would cover the dresses of the lead fairies on the opening night of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera Iolanthe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/14/79129199-12881075-image-a-30_1702996829936.jpg)
In 1881, the Savoy Theatre opened in London and was the first building to be lit entirely by electricity. The following year, its owner, Richard D’Oyly Carte, commissioned English inventor Sir Joseph Swan to create lights that would cover the dresses of the lead fairies on the opening night of Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera Iolanthe
By the early 20th century, ‘fairy lights’ had become a staple on Christmas trees across Britain.
Meanwhile, in the US, the first electric lights were put on a Christmas tree by Edward H Johnson – a friend of famed inventor Thomas Edison – in 1882.
He hand-wired 80 red, white and blue bulbs before winding the set around a revolving tree.
This decoration was taken up by US President Grover Cleveland in 1895, when he requested that the White House tree also be fitted with electric light bulbs.
Before the invention of lighting, trees were – despite the obvious fire risk – kitted out with candles.
![By the early 20th century, 'fairy lights' had become a staple on Christmas trees across Britain. Above: Young ladies gathered around a decorated Christmas tree, London, circa 1945](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/14/79129215-12881075-image-a-31_1702997285984.jpg)
By the early 20th century, ‘fairy lights’ had become a staple on Christmas trees across Britain. Above: Young ladies gathered around a decorated Christmas tree, London, circa 1945
Tinsel
As with the tree tradition itself, the use of tinsel stems from German manufacturers who began making it in the 1600s.
It adorned statues and buildings during celebrations. It was also woven into cloth to create glimmering stand-out fabrics.
By the early 20th century, it was a popular Christmas decoration, including on cards and trees.
![As with the tree tradition itself, the use of tinsel stems from German manufacturers who began making it in the 1600s. Above: Tinsel on a Christmas tree being examined in 1930 by a little girl in the arms of a man dressed as Father Christmas](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79129213-12881075-image-a-32_1702998359351.jpg)
As with the tree tradition itself, the use of tinsel stems from German manufacturers who began making it in the 1600s. Above: Tinsel on a Christmas tree being examined in 1930 by a little girl in the arms of a man dressed as Father Christmas
![A Daily Mail report from 1907 telling how the Postmaster-General had asked people to stop sending cards adorned with tinsel or 'powdered glass'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79131155-12881075-image-a-36_1702999427647.jpg)
A Daily Mail report from 1907 telling how the Postmaster-General had asked people to stop sending cards adorned with tinsel or ‘powdered glass’
Advances in manufacturing meant that it could be made from aluminum or lead.
Its popularity led to a plea from the Postmaster General in 1907 for Britons to stop sending Christmas cards decorated with metallic tinsel or ‘powdered glass’, because they were injuring postal staff.
By the mid 20th century – following war and austerity – tinsel was largely no longer being made from metal, but was instead composed of colourful synthetic materials.
To this day, tinsel remains a popular part of the Christmas tree decoration toolkit.
Baubles
Hans Greiner, a German glassblower, is believed to have invented baubles in the early 16th century.
As well as creating strings of decorative glass beads, he made tin decorations.
![In the 1848, Queen Victoria's tree was seen adorned with baubles, prompting them to become popular as forms of decoration in Britain](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79129217-12881075-image-m-35_1702999313705.jpg)
In the 1848, Queen Victoria’s tree was seen adorned with baubles, prompting them to become popular as forms of decoration in Britain
In the 1848, Queen Victoria’s tree was seen adorned with baubles, prompting them to become popular as forms of decoration.
Up until the First World War, baubles were largely imported from Germany. Popular designs depicted pieces of fruit, flowers and bells.
Baubles then became more readily available from the 1950s onwards as production methods made them cheaper.
![Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are seen putting the finishing touches to the royal Christmas Tree in 1969. Baubles were among the decorations](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79129369-12881075-image-a-33_1702999296069.jpg)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are seen putting the finishing touches to the royal Christmas Tree in 1969. Baubles were among the decorations
![A mother and her two children smile as they look at their decked out Christmas tree in an advert produced in 1948](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79129207-12881075-image-a-39_1702999565773.jpg)
A mother and her two children smile as they look at their decked out Christmas tree in an advert produced in 1948
![A young girl looks at her beautifully decorated Christmas tree in an advert produced in 1950](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79129219-12881075-image-a-40_1702999572447.jpg)
A young girl looks at her beautifully decorated Christmas tree in an advert produced in 1950
Moravian stars
Many families’ Christmas trees will this year again be adorned with a Moravian star.
This decoration was first devised as part of a school geometry project at the Moravian Boys’ School in Niesky, Germany, in the 1830s.
Representing the Star of Bethlehem mentioned in the Biblical Christmas story, the decoration then became more widely popular in the 1880s, when Peter Verbeek, an alumnus of the school, started making them in his bookshop.
![Many families' Christmas trees will this year again be adorned with a Moravian star](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/19/15/79131153-12881075-Many_families_Christmas_trees_will_this_year_again_be_adorned_wi-m-38_1702999538641.jpg)
Many families’ Christmas trees will this year again be adorned with a Moravian star
His son Harry then founded the Herrnhut Star Factory, which made them up until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914.
During the Second World War, the factory suffered heavy damage but was able to resume manufacturing after the conflict had come to an end.
Although it was briefly taken over by the Communist government of East Germany in the 1950s, the factory continued churning out stars and still does to this day.
The Moravian Church is one of the oldest Protestant denominations in Christianity.
The main community is based in Herrnhut, Saxony and there was also a large group of Moravians in Ockbrook, Derby, along with missionary efforts in London.
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