The origin of the Christmas tree remains a mysterious to many. But its historical roots are fairly surprising - scientists claim a group of young German merchants in a Baltic country was the first to use Christmas tree.
Christmas does of course have a pre-Christian history, and decorating the house during the dark winter months is a tradition that precedes Christianity. For example, northern European Vikings, the Romans and Ancient Egyptians had a ritual of warding off evil spirits with evergreens.
But a more recognizable Christmas tree began to take shape thanks to a guild of German merchants who supposedly erected the first Weihnachtsbaumin 1510, in the Baltic metropolis of Riga, Latvia. They did it outside their houses and set the tree on fire in a ritual celebration of the birth of Jesus. By the mid-16th century the trees would often be decorated beforehand with nuts, paper flowers, and pretzels.
As decorating the trees became increasingly popular, families began to bring their festive creations indoors. Children would often raid the tree for its edible decorations on Christmas Eve, and soon presents were put beneath them.
So when decorating your fir-tree at home, think about those German merchants who unknowingly helped to create one of the most iconic festive images all those years ago in Riga.
