People all over America have lived with the fact that German immigrants brought along with them the traditions of Christmas tree to the American coast. German Christians continued with the customs popular in their erstwhile native. Over the centuries, the traditions of Christmas tree have spread all over the American Continent. It is no wonder that Christmas tree, be it a small or a giant one, can be found at almost every American home. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to learn few out of the ordinary beliefs related to Christmas tree and other practices.
At the top of the list of some interesting facts about Christmas tree is how to buy a real and genuine Christmas tree. Most of the Americans are aware that Christmas trees can be procured at tons of local retailers, shopping malls and exclusive Christmas tree farms at several locations all over the country especially around Christmas time. As per the latest figures of National Christmas Tree Association, orders for more than 330,000 real Christmas trees are placed by American customers through reputed E-Merchants for mail-order delivery. People just love the wonderful fragrance emanated by the authentic Christmas tree and that is what makes it extremely popular. Besides its fantastic scent, oxygen radiated by the real Christmas trees is another excellent benefit. Statistics show that Christmas trees planted on one-acre land are capable of releasing enough oxygen for about 18 people. Genuine Christmas tree require around one quart of water daily in order to preserve and enhance its life.
Over the years, traditions of Christmas tree have become part of overall Christmas celebrations throughout United States. Artificial Christmas trees in trendy colors like silver and pink, had gained enormous popularity around the 1950s. Although the artificial Christmas trees weren’t green but it’s glittering, bright and dazzling appearance was the primary reason that made it the favorites. Lighting of National Christmas tree at the White House, American President’s residence during Christmas season becomes an event of national importance. Calvin Coolidge’s name is written down in the history as the first American President who started this tradition of lighting Christmas tree at White House.
Apart from its lighting as Christmas tree, National Christmas tree has been often used to signify other national incidences. In 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated, National Christmas was not lit until 22 December to mark 30 days national mourning period. Teddy Roosevelt became the President of America immediately upon the assassination of President McKinley in 1901. Roosevelt did not permit lighting of National Christmas tree on the grounds of environmental issues and not because it was a national mourning period.
It is worthwhile to mention here that in the abnormally tepid winter season of December 1984, National Christmas tree was lighted on 13 December. Despite its limited popularity, America has been celebrating Christmas festival right from 1600s. It was only after more than two and half centuries that Christmas turned out to be a widely accepted holiday season sometimes during 1860s. It’s only because of Alabama State, which was the first state to have declared 25 December as an official holiday, the entire United States celebrates Christmas holidays with great fanfare.
Despite Christmas being a festival of Christians, Christmas celebration is not a flavor among all the Christian blocs. Jehovah Witnesses are one such group of Christians who do not participate in Christmas celebrations and its associated festivities and customs as sending greeting cards. Majority of non-participating Christians are staunch believers of Bible in its entirety. They often argue that Bible does not specifically mention anything about Christmas as a particular period or motivation for celebrating Christmas festival. They strongly believe that in order to adhere to every word of Bible, they should not celebrate Christmas.