Have you put your tree up yet? How many times have you heard or asked this lately? The great debate on when the “right” time to set up your Christmas tree is forever ongoing.

It seems as though we put up all the festive decor earlier and earlier each year. And you know what? … I’m okay with that!  The decorations evoke feelings of joy and happiness and create a sense of family togetherness. We all can use an extra dose of these things given how the past few years have been.

Christmas trees have so much personal meaning and sentimentality to them. Don’t you love looking through your decorations each year and being filled with ooey gooey fuzzy feelings from memories past?

Christmas trees are an ancient tradition that have incredible meanings for so many cultures. The Greeks used adorned pine trees to place offerings under to their deities. Romans celebrated a festival of light with evergreen boughs. Celtics embellished fir and pine trees to assure a good harvest. Japanese and Chinese cultures used pine and cypress to build their holy structures, because the wood was felt to possess the force of life. Germans are credited with being the first to utilize decorated evergreen trees in their interiors as we know as Christmas trees. Given all of this, we can surmise that the use of trees as a tribute to celebration is a bit of humanity that has remained steady and true.

A Christmas tree can also have a spiritual meaning. Christianity uses a Christmas tree as a symbol of the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The branches of evergreen are a tribute to immortality and said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Christ. Decorating a Christmas tree is typically a cherished time together with family and the ornaments are said to have spiritual  qualities of peace, love, kindness and more. And let’s not forget the tree toppers importance. Many people use a star to signify the star of Bethlehem or maybe an angel like the angel said to have announced the birth of Christ. The Christmas tree is definitely filled with symbolism and religious history.

As you add your holiday decorations to your home inside and out, think about how each item holds significance to your family. Dad may balk at having to string lights from the eaves and mom may grumble about the fallen pine needles all over the house, but really the joy on everyone’s faces is the love shining from their hearts. Christmas is a time to celebrate our loved ones, to cherish memories and to show love to all those we come in contact with.

We wish for your families a season filled with more blessings than you can count. So get out those Santas and snowmen and fill your home with laughter. And as you gaze at your freshly decorated tree, consider the significance in each ornament and remember how very loved you are.

Stylishly yours,

The Chelsee Sowder Design Team

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