Time to Trim the Tree
The celebration of the Christmas season is filled with many traditions – some are unique to our individual families (Vachon Yule Log anyone?) and some, like festively decorated Christmas trees, are loved by many.
At this time of year, not only can you find trees outside but also inside homes, stores, offices and, yes, even libraries. But when did we start to bring trees inside to trim them with sparkling lights and tinsel? According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the first historical evidence of a decorated tree dates back to the 1500s and "[t]he first Christmas tree in North America appeared on Christmas Eve 1781, in Sorel, Quebec."
More festive facts can be found in books like:
O Christmas Tree: Its History and Holiday Traditions by Jacqueline Farmer (Ages 6-12)
Tomie DePaola's Christmas Tree Book by Tomie DePaola (Ages 6-12)
Now that you know a little bit more about Christmas trees, you may want to take part in this Christmas tradition yourself. And whether you are about to decorate your very first Christmas tree or you have already been doing so for years and years, the first step is always to...
Pick a Pine Tree by Patricia Toht (Ages 4-7)
And remember, if you wait too long to get one, you might have to improvise, especially if you "need" a Christmas tree like monster does in this book:
Monster Needs a Christmas Tree by Paul Czajak (Ages 4-8)
Once you have found your perfect tree (be it pine, plastic, or plants), you will need to gather things to trim it with in order to make it look extra festive. Christmas tree trimmings can include strings of lights, popcorn or paper chains; Christmas balls and baubles; and many different kinds of ornaments, both store-bought and handmade. These decorations are often a cherished tradition in their own right, so always be careful when handling them so one doesn't end up as...
The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi (Ages 6-10)
Of course sometimes ornaments get lost (I still can't find some of my personal ornaments from Northern Ireland that I used for a library display years ago!) and you may have to play a game of "hide and seek" to find them again:
The Lost Christmas: A Seek and Find Book by B.B. Cronin (Ages 6-12)
Or you can always improvise and decorate your tree with found objects, though I wouldn't recommend going with everything that...
Sounds Like Christmas by Robert Munsch (Ages 4-10)
On second thought, maybe it might a better idea for you to make some of your decorations. TPL has plenty of books about making homemade ornaments including:
Make Your Own Christmas Ornaments by Ginger Johnson (Ages 6-12)
The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book: 15 Designs to Spread Holiday Cheer by Chris McVeigh (Ages 6-12)
The LEGO Christmas Ornaments Book. Volume 2: 16 Designs to Spread Holiday Cheer by Chris McVeigh (Ages 6-12)
Of course not all decorated trees have to be in celebration of Christmas or even placed inside. You can make edible decorations and trim a tree for our animal friends as suggested by the website, wilderchild.com and create your very own...
Night Tree by Eve Bunting (Ages 4-8)
As for me, I have my own cherished Christmas tree tradition: Whenever and wherever I travel, I always buy a Christmas ornament (umm...or two or three) from the place that I am visiting so that every year when I decorate my tree, it helps me to fondly remember the places that I've been and the memories I hold dear.
How do you trim your tree? Share in the comments below!
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