The Tree in Your Living Room

Where did it come from? That beautiful tree that we decorate each December and dread to put away in January has a long long history and here is a bit about it.

For centuries before the dawn of Christianity, people observed that certain plants and trees stayed green and with abundant foliage during the cold harsh weather in winter; this, of course, puzzled and amazed the inhabitants of different countries.
Winter has always been associated to the time of the year where the Earth "dies" and those plants and bushes that kept their live appearance gave people hope for a new life and renewal at the end of the season.

Several peoples brought the greens indoors as a symbol of the triumph of life over death. They would decorate them with fruit ans spices, bows and ribbons.
Naturally, each civilization gave this ritual different textures and associated it to myths that would match the spirit of their other traditions.
The actual "tree" as a winter tradition was started in Germany, around the 16th century, and here it was adopted as a Christian tradition, it is believed to have started with Martin Luther.

Another very essential piece of greenery found in our homes during the winter festivals is Mistletoe, and we all take pleasure in kissing whoever happens to be standing under it all month long. Where did this tradition start?

In Ancient Greece as part of the Festivals of Saturnalia (dedicated to Saturn) in December; people believed that it contained "life giving" powers as well as fertility. In the Scandinavian Peninsula, people believed it to be a plant of peace, under which, enemies (or warring spouses) would "kiss and make up". In England, during the holidays, any girl standing under the mistletoe ball cannot refuse to be kissed or she runs the risk of not marrying along the year, and the mistletoe ball must be burned on the twelfth day or the couples that kissed will not marry at all.

Whether it is a tree or a ball of mistletoe, place a bit of greens inside your home, you'll be inviting Mother Nature with Her promise to be reborn come Spring.