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Published on 12/11/1995 All articles from this issue

The World on Your Christmas Tree

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By Esther Payne Davis

Special to the Town Crier

Why not add a touch of magic and intrigue to your Christmas tree this year?

For starters, choose a big, a new box and label it "Christmas Tree Ornaments." Then make or buy ornaments to represent countries of the world. Attach a fact ribbon telling of each country's Christmas legends and traditions.

You will find that it is easy and fun to put together these fact ribbons. Pin them to the appropriate ornaments and attach them to the branches of a small Chrismtas tree on a table, in your room, or in your family's living room.

You "fact tree" will certainly become a conversation piece as friends and relatives come in for a visit during the holidays and read the legends you've handwriteen or typed on different colored cards or ribbons attached to the different ornaments. You'll hear them say, "I didn't know that" or "Isn't that fascinating?"

Fascinating, too, for you to put together. For my particular tree I chose as the theme different facts about Christmas trees themselves. There are, of course, many other themes you can choose.

If you don't have reference books handy at home, a visit to your local library can provide all the background sources you might need.

Every tree should have a star a top it. And what more appropriate place could there be for your fact ribbin for the Biblical lands:

..."And lo the angel of the Lord came apon them . . . and said unto them: Fear no, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy."

Just beneath the star, pace a small American flay with the symbol "95."

America thanks the settlers of the 18th century for their introduction of the Christmas tree to the New World.

A color photo of a German crest can symbolize the role Germany played in originating the tradition of Christmas trees (dating from around 1600).

German legend tells that St. Boniface chose a fir tree to symbolize the birthright of the Christ child because its branches are ever green.

For Holland, what else but a large Santa Claus?

Santa originated as St. Nicholas (after a medieval bishop of Turkey), becoming Santa Nickalaus in Holland. dutch settlers to America shortened the name to Santa Claus.

For England, there's so much to choose becuase there are so many Christmas traditions. But I chose a picture of Queen Victoria and her consort Prince Albert because

England owes its heritage of the Christmas tree to Albert who surprised Victoria in 1841 with the royal family's first decorated Christmas tree.

I place Denmark on my tree as an important book.

Hans Christian Andersen's "The Fir Tree" tells what the Christmas tree means to the Danes. "Was I really born to such glorious destiny" wonders the fir tree.

I represent Norway with a toy soldier.

It started during World War I when a Norway free agent slipped through the German lines to cut a large spruce to stand in Trafalgar Square in London to show Norway's appreciation for England's cooperation.; This custom continues today.

For Sweden, candles are most app[ropriate, or red apples.

In Sweden, the whole family takes part in selecting the Christmas tree (once known as the Yule tree) and lighting its candles.

For Switzerland, perhaps an unadorned ornament.

The Christmas tree does not get its decorations until Christmas Eve, when the parents do all the decorating. Then everyone joins in singing about the tree.

For Czechoslovakia, a glass ornament.

Fruits, nuts and fancy pastries used to be tree decorations in Slavic regions, but have now been replaced by beautiful and elaborate Czech glass ornaments.

Turn over the ornament which is Russia.

Russia now calls her Christmas tree the New Year tree.

Depict Spain as a little chruch.

On the outside of a church in Barcelona, Christmas trees are for sale.

Half hide Brazil on the tree.

The Christmas tree in Brazil is decorated secretly behind closed dorrs until Christmas Eve, when it is brought out glowing with decorations as happy singers gather around it.

Locate a peek-a-boo space. Ireland will fit nicely here.

The Christmas tree is not seen very often in Ireland, where the idea is relatively new.

Handle carefully the paper ornament which is Taiwan.

Chinese Christians decorate their Tree of Light with colored paper flowers.

Look for a small pace for your newest ornament, representing Japn.

Japan is one of the most recent countries to use its pine trees as Christmas trees.

Italy should occupy a place near the base of the tree where the Nativity Scene is placed.