Christmas Tree Decorating

Christmas Tree Decorating questions and answers

Don't forget to check out the latest article on Christmas Light Show at GetCrafty.com Crafts.

Q: New Christmas question 1-When did Christmas tree decorating start and how did it come to be a tradition?
Do you wonder why do we decorate evergreen trees with beautiful decorations that glitter and sparkle, but does anyone know how did these traditions come to be? What does a beautifully decorated tree symbolize and when did Christmas tree decorating start, 10 Christmas balls for the simply the BEST answer.

A: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_tree

Q: Where can I find Christmas Tree decorating ideas?
I have never owned a Christmas tree and need decoration inspiration. Where can I see pictures of Christmas trees decorated by average families and not a professional decorator? Thanks in advance.

A: I tend to go overboard when decorating evrey year. I like to visit lots of stores to see what the new christmas decorating trends are. http://www.christmasdecorationsstores.com

Q: How did decorating a tree for Christmas come to be?what does decorating a tree mean?
I have always wondered why do people decorate Christmas trees for the holiday season, what is the purpose of decorating a big wide huge tree for Christmas?

A: well. the tree sometimes creates memories. you can get special ornaments from places that remind you of a certain thing. im not exactly sure why they use a tree to put them on, butttt... its really beautiful, and its another way to bond with your family over x-mas, decorating the christmas tree :]

Q: The Christmas tree-What is the purpose of decorating a Christmas tree? What does it symbolize?
I WANNA know why do we decorate a Christmas tree, what does that symbolize and what does a decorated tree have to do with Jesus?

A: It has nothing to do w/ Jesus and in fact the Christmas tree didn't become popular until Victorian times (in fact, in Puritain New England it wasn't allowed at all.) The Christmas tree is an old Pagan tradition; apples and other fruits (modern glass balls) symbolize fruitfulness. Candles (modern lights) symbolize the returning of the light after Solstice. The wreath, by the way, symbolizes the solar wheel - the turning of the seasons and returning of the light after the Solstice. And December isn't really the most likely time of year for Christ to have been born. Dec. 25th was sacred to the god Mithras (if memory serves, he was also born in a stable, or some other humble abode); December 21st (Solstice) is sacred to many ancient cultures -- including those who celebrated the idea of a virgin birth. I think the real point, though, is it doesn't matter when you celebrate it, if you are Christian, the birth of Jesus is a joyous occasion. By the way - have you ever stopped to wonder why Easter is celebrated on a different day every year...??

Q: Any funky and exotic Christmas tree decorating ideas?
Last year I did a Vegas-themed tree with dice lights, poker chips, playing cards, airplane liquor bottles (empty) etc. It was a hit. This year, I'm drawing an absolute blank. I know I want to paint this one a solid color. Any funky ideas out there? The more "out there" and different the better!

A: not out there or funky but classy and looks really cool. Flock it compleatly white and tie big black bows all over it looks really cool, white with nothing but black bows

Q: What is you christmas tree decorating style?
Do you like to go with the adult-like theme (ribbons, bows, glass ornaments) or a more child-like, fun theme (candy canes, homemade ornaments, icicles, shiny garland, etc)?

A: Def. the adult-like theme and this year is the white tree with blue and silver. I have blue lights, several big fancy ornaments, glass ones in blue, light blue, and silver, and a big silver star on top with silver and white ribbon going down. I love decorating the tree each year. It's so fun to get all creative with it.

Q: Christmas tree decorating- What does decorating an evergreen tree symbolize? and why do we decorate a tree?
Can someone tell me?

A: Here are some good websites that should answer your question: http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=1284&display_order=4&mini_id=1290 http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/trees/ http://www.religioustolerance.org/xmas_tree.htm http://www.christmasarchives.com/trees.html

Q: christmas tree?
how is your christmas tree decorated? mine is white and has pink blue and silver baubles and purple tinsel with multi-coloured lights.

A: My Christmas tree is decorated with memories. --Ornaments my sons made --Pictures of us as babies --Ornaments given to me for special occasions or by special people Decorating the tree every year is a trip down memory lane. Because of this, I keep every ornament in its own box, labeled with the date and the name of the person who gave it to me. If it came from a special place, I include that, too.

Q: Christmas tree substitution decorating ideas needed quickly?
We didn't put a tree up this year, so pa just hung tinsel from my glasses and spun me around while holding a length of strung pop corn. He thinks I look great, but the dogs are all over me. Company arrives at two. Should we start making more pop corn?

A: ROFL! Yes, make more pop corn. Let the company get in on the fun of decorating too! Thanks for the laugh Ma! :D

Q: Decorating The Family Christmas Tree-How does your family decorate the X-mas tree?
How does your family decorate the family Christmas tree for the holiday season, do they decorate it will shoe strings or do they decorate it with toenail clippings that they tape to the tree, or do they only use all lights on the tree, 10 points for the best answer.

A: Oh it's so much fun! Every year we do it at about dinner time, and instead of actually sitting down and eating my mom makes all these finger foods that we eat while decorating. I also make punch, it's very special because we only have it twice a year - Christmas day and when decorating the tree. My dad always puts the lights and garland on the tree in the afternoon, so once the food's ready we can start. My parents give my brothers and I a new ornament every Christmas eve, so we have tons that go on! (Not that we're that old, but between the three of us it would add up to 52, and we make ornaments and get them as gifts, etc.). And then we turn out all the lights except for the ones on the tree and admire out handy work.

Q: Cheap handmade decorating for Christmas tree in log home?
Changing my tree look this year, any one got any cool ideas for deco of Christmas tree. Love the homespun country or lodge look. Thank you for your help.

A: Can you use a sewing needle and a glue gun? lots of handmade ornament ideas out there that don't even need a pattern. Fabric yo-yos sewn together for a wreath or garland, f'rinstance. Ornaments made by tracing around cookie cutters and buttonhole-stitching them together using embroidery floss (which costs a quarter a skein at most hobby shops) with a little batting to plump out the middle. Small "ocho de dios" made with craft sticks and leftover yarn. Pompom animals (bugs & stuff, there's a link below). Beads made of long strips cut from shiny colored magazine pages, wound tightly into rolls and glued down, strung together to make a garland or dangles. Snowflakes cut from stiff paper or cardboard and sprinkled with glitter.

Q: I need a ideas for decorating a christmas tree?
I want a "0white" tree this year but I want to decorate it simple & attractive not junky. I've tried images from google, ask & yahoo website but I did not see any pics that are appealing. Do u know of website or books that may help out my decorating ideas? Thanks

A: I saw this site, it has very nice ornaments... http://dazzlingrevelations.com/default.aspx

Q: What are the christmas tree decorating colours for this season besides the traditional red, green and white?


A: My favorite is blue and silver... very classic looking

Q: Christmas tree decorating?
So I sat here staring at my Christmas tree. And then the more I looked at it the more I thought "it is so weird to hang things on the branches" is it just me or do others agree that it is weird to hang things on a tree. It is probably just me but now I think it is ridiculous. By the way I grew up decorating my Christmas tree every year and now think that it is weird! I understand it is tradition but why do we do it. We all most likely do it out of tradition and call it "normal" but I think when you think about it is weird, but maybe it's just me and maybe some other people I guess!

A: While nearly everyone has a Christmas tree, there has been reluctance in some circles to incorporate Christmas trees into the church sanctuary, arising from suspicions about the pagan origin of the symbol. However, since the Christmas tree has become such a part of Christmas celebration around the world, it seems more important to give it some clearly Christian meaning. Some churches do this with a service of the Hanging of the Greens. Some use a Chrismon™ Tree. Others use a tree, either at home or in the sanctuary, as a Jesse Tree. This is a tree, or a large banner with a symbolic tree, that is decorated each week, usually by the children, with ornaments or objects that represent Old Testament events from Creation to the Birth of Jesus. The ornaments are traditionally handmade, and are added one each day of Advent, or a group on each Sunday, with explanations of the symbols and a brief verse of Scripture from the story represented. Some churches choose to decorate the tree with small items of warm clothing as a way to minister to the needy in the community. Some churches combine the idea of a Jesse Tree with a Chrismon™ Tree, making and using the Chrismons™ to correspond to the story of the Jesse Tree. However, the Jesse Tree is really an Advent Tree anticipating the coming of Christmas. So, it may be more instructive, especially for children, to allow the Jesse Tree to represent anticipation during Advent while letting a Chrismon™ Tree be the celebration of Christmas itself. The Story of the Jesse Tree The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots." It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God. The Israelites through the descendants of Abraham were chosen by God to be a light to the nations. When they were imprisoned by the Egyptians, they cried out to God for deliverance from their oppression. And God responded: "I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry . . . I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them to a good land" (Exod 3:7-8). And so He entered history in a marvelous way to deliver them and bring them into a place where they could worship God and serve Him in peace and joy instead of serving Pharaoh in hard service. God promised to be with them and to be their God, and they would be His people. But as they settled into the land that God had given them, "they forgot God, their Deliverer, who had done great things in Egypt" (Psa 106:21). As they grew secure in the land, they began to believe that "my power and the strength of my own hand have gotten me these things" (Deut 8:17). Even though God had raised up godly leaders like David, later kings and religious leaders served their own interests, and the people began to worship the false gods of the land. They even gave offerings to the idol ba’al, supposedly the god of rain and fertility of the land, thanking him for the prosperity they enjoyed. But God grieved because "she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished upon her silver and gold that they used for ba’al" (Hos 2:8). God had "planted [them] as a choice vine from the purest stock" (Jer 2:21) and had expected them to grow and flourish and carry out His purposes in the world. But they had degenerated into a wild bush with worthless fruit. Because they had forgotten God, they also forgot the call of God to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Mic 6:8). God sent prophets to warn them of the consequences of failing to be His people. Amos warned them to "seek me and live" (5:4). Through Jeremiah, God promised them that if they would turn from their wicked ways He would bless them and be with them in the land (7:5-7). But he also said: "Take heed, O Jerusalem, or I shall turn from you in disgust, and make you a desolation" (6:8). Some of the people longed for new leaders, a new "anointed" (Heb: meshiach; Eng: messiah) shepherd king like David who would help them to become what God had called them to be. But most of the people would not listen. They continued to worship the idols of ba'al. They continued to cheat the poor, steal from each other, neglect the needy, and do all manner of evil. So God let them go their own way and suffer the consequences of their choices. The Babylonian armies came and destroyed the temple, the city of Jerusalem, the land, and took the people into slavery. The choice planting of God that had such promise, that God had tended so carefully and encouraged to grow, was cut down and became a mere stump (Isa 5:1-10). But God did not give up on this people! Even though they had disobeyed, even though they had forsaken God for other gods, even though they had miserably failed to be His people and to let Him be their God, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob still loved them. He had made a commitment to these people that He would not allow to be undone even by their rejection of Him. He had already told them this through the prophets, but they had not understood then. Jeremiah had promised a day when God would again plant and build (31:28). And Isaiah had spoken of a time when God would cause a new shoot, a new king, to spring from the cut-off stump of the lineage of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). During the Exile, suffering under the consequences of sin, they had little reason to suppose that God would do anything new. Still, the old promises echoed across the years, even if they could not believe them or even understand them. In spite of their failures, in spite of their inability to envision a future beyond exile, there came a time when the prophets again announced a new thing, proclaiming "good tidings" to the people: "Here is your God!" (Isa 40:1-11). The Exile was ended! God would bring back to life a nation that was already dead (Eze 37). Long ago they had been slaves in Egypt, with nothing they could do to change their condition, and yet God had chosen to deliver. So now, in the midst of their failure and hopelessness, God had again entered history as Deliverer. They would have another chance to be His people, not because they had earned it, no more than they had deserved it the first time; but simply because God in His grace had chosen to forgive. They returned to the land. But across the years, they again struggled to obey and live up to their calling. They would never again slide into the worship of false gods. They had learned that lesson. But the great kingdom that they dreamed of restoring remained only a dream. They had hoped for a new king like David to lead them into a glorious future in which they would rule the world. They hoped to throw off the control of the Greeks and later the Romans and become a great nation. But it didn’t happen. And they became disillusioned and discouraged. So, they again hoped for God to raise up a new king, a new messiah, to deliver them from the oppression of the world. They longed for peace and deliverance from the tyranny of a sinful world. The prophets again brought the word of God to them, and promised a newness. Even though they struggled to understand and believe, they held onto the hope that the same God who brought slaves out of Egypt, and who brought exiles out of Babylon, could bring Messiah into the world! We know the rest of that story. God was faithful to that promise, and a new King was born in Bethlehem. So we can exclaim with the old man Simeon: "My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all people, a light of revelation to the nations, and for glory to your people Israel!" (Luke 2:30-32). But we also know that the world is still with us. Even though we can have Peace and Joy through the presence of Jesus Christ, we still long for deliverance from the oppression of sin in the world. We long for the full reign of the King, and the Kingdom of Peace that He will bring. So, while we celebrate the birth of the Branch, the new shoot from the stump of Jesse, we still anticipate with hope the Second Advent, and await the completion of the promise. The Jesse Tree helps us retell this story, and express this hope.

Q: I need ideas for decorating a christmas tree?
I work at a hospital and we are having a contest for each floor to decorate a christmas tree. I need a idea, but I want it to be decorated with a 'medical theme'......any funny ideas? (I work on a heart floor, but anything medical would be good) I know it's september, but we have to have our idea submition in by the begining of october.

A: You should base it around hearts and have things like: hearts (duh) little ornaments or other shaped like medical items (stethoscopes etc) other things mentioned by the people above me! Go to craft stores and buy craft items to make your own ornaments. You can search on Google for craft ideas and stuff - there are sooo many. Good Luck and Merry early Christmas!