Download and share a Christmas tree buying handout.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
By Charles C. Littleton, Marketing Specialist
Fruit and Vegetable Division
How to buy a Christmas tree Pick Your Own Christmas Tree
Find a choose and cut tree farm or fresh pre-cut trees near you!
Why Do We Have Christmas Trees?
The tree was traditionally decorated with "roses made of colored paper, apples, wafers, tinsel, [and] sweetmeats". In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles, which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights after the advent of electrification. Today, there is a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garlands, baubles, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the Angel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. Edible items such as gingerbread, chocolate and other sweets are also popular and are tied to or hung from the tree's branches with ribbons.