O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

   The Christmas tree, that essential part of Christmas ever since in Germany, it was adopted from the Celtic winter solstice tradition into the Protestant celebrations of Jesus birth. While it is traditionally an evergreen many southern regions of the world decorate palms and other hot weather alternatives.  Whatever tree is chosen, it remains for most families, the one most important decoration in their homes- the crowning glory.

   During my childhood, I greatly envied those families who had their tree up at the beginning of December, right after Thanksgiving. They enjoyed it for so long. My family often waited until the last minute, just a few days before Christmas when trees where a surplus item and sellers were becoming desperate to be relieved of their wares by the end of the season. During these desperate days wonderful, bushy, tall trees could be had for 10 to 20 dollars, a mere fraction of the cost of even a charlie brown exemplar a few days earlier. It must be said that our trees were often wonderful even if they tended to arrive somewhat later. I swore that if I ever became wealthy I would be the type of person to have my tree up after Thanksgiving. Then I married an Austrian...

  One of the big differences between Austria and many other non-European countries is that the tree traditionally appears on Christmas Eve. A tinkling bell is rung and the doors of the living room are open to discovering that the 'Christkind' has brought a tree, fully decorated, surrounded by presents. the children enter the room with wonder in their eyes, sing around the lit tree and then open their gifts. It is pure magic unless you are the mother. She has spent the whole day setting up the tree, wrapping the presents, cooking the Christmas meal, and decorating. A labor of love at best, a way to be cheated out of Christmas at worst.

    Due to the emergence of open plan houses more and more people are involving the children in the decorating of the trees. A reformed version of the traditional celebration which I applaud and have joined in with my own family. We usually spend an afternoon together decorating and enjoying the tree.

   
   What hasn't changed is when it is put up. In traditional houses, the tree still appears on the 24th although in more modern families it is up a few days before. A tree can be bought up to about 10 days before christmas and is then usually stored in the garden or on the terrace, still wrapped, until the big day.

   Why is it left so late? One theory is that it stems from a time when the tree itself was the present. Decorated as it traditionally is with gingerbread, sweets, walnuts, and apples. It was an edible treasure. Children enjoyed the sweets as a type of Christmas present. This is still true to a certain extent. Candy canes adorn American Christmas trees whereas chocolate umbrellas are the favorite here.

   

   The final difference, other than the use of real candles, that I have observed here is that trees seem to be more color coded. Either you are a person with a red and white tree, or one with a silver one,or one with natural materials, wood, etc..., The mixed bag of ornaments with sentimental value is rarer than in the US and some other places.

   Christmas can be very charming here in Austria. I enjoy some of the simple aspects of it. Nevertheless, I sometimes miss the decadence, splendor and general sense of awe that I feel in the US. It is the Joy that I love, even though the peace here is wonderful- See my post on advent wreaths for my description of Joy and Peace.

   So, whether you have a tree arriving tomorrow, or one that has been up since the day after thanksgiving, or a palm, I wish you a wonderful, blessed, time as you light it and enjoy it's beauty this Christmas season.

   And don't forget about the Draw With Me challenge. I am looking forward to seeing the results.




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