Why in Europe the Christmas tree was hung upside down, where Santa Claus puts gifts in France and how glass Christmas balls appeared in Russia - we have collected the most interesting facts about the main holiday of the planet
Every December we habitually decorate the Christmas tree, give each other gifts and light sparklers. There is a whole story behind all these traditions: for example, firecrackers ward off evil spirits, and general cleaning on New Year's Eve brings wealth and good luck next year. We will tell you about these and other interesting facts about the main winter holiday in this post.
1. Upside down
In medieval Europe, the trees did not stand, but hung upside down right on the ceiling. The hanging tree was decorated with sweets, and the children had to pick them. So the design idea to hang the Christmas tree from the ceiling is not know-how at all, but, one might say, an old custom.
2. Street festivities
The New Year tree in Russia appeared much later: Peter I brought it from Europe along with tobacco and potatoes. Fir-trees were placed on the street and were not decorated - the trees themselves were decoration. By the way, the New Year tree took root with us not at once: the fact is that the coniferous tree was considered gloomy and allegedly attracted evil spirits.
3. Home tree
In 1840, the tree moved from the street to the house - the Germans who lived in St. Petersburg were the first to bring it home. The townspeople liked this custom so much that they also put up a Christmas tree at home. They began to decorate the Christmas tree with rings, ribbons and beads, and even at this time the first Christmas tree markets appeared.
4. Gift from Saxony
Saxon craftsmen were the first to make Christmas balls from glass in the 16th century. And by the middle of the 19th century, the industrial production of Christmas tree decorations began in Saxony - cardboard bells, figurines of birds and animals, colorful cones and nuts joined the glass balls.
5. Like a bull's eye
In Russia, Christmas balls appeared much later - about a hundred years ago. Previously, the tree was decorated with delicacies: sweets, nuts, gingerbread and apples in a bright wrapper. They say that the first Christmas ball appeared due to a poor harvest of apples. The stocks of fruit for the winter ran out and resourceful glassblowers blew out balls to replace the round apples.
6. One, two, three! Shine Christmas tree
For the first time, a luminous electric garland was hung at the White House in 1895. Before that, the Christmas tree was decorated with candles, while the American telegraph operator Ralph Morris did not think to replace fire-hazardous candles with a thread of signal light bulbs.
7. "Happy New Year" in English
And the first New Year's card was printed in London in 1843. The tradition of exchanging written congratulations quickly took root in England and soon spread throughout the world. By the way, the USA traditionally holds the record for the number of New Year's cards and gifts.
8. The secret of the fireworks
The tradition of fireworks and firecrackers came from Asia. By the way, they were not invented for fun, but for protection from evil spirits who are looking for a refuge on New Year's Eve. You can scare away evil spirits with noise and bright light - this is how the crackers appeared. It is curious that even in modern China, the first day of the New Year is accompanied by an incessant explosion of firecrackers and fireworks.
9.From a clean slate
It is customary for us to start a general cleaning on New Year's Eve, but in Cuba they are limited to washing dishes. All dishes in the house are filled with water, which is thrown out onto the street on New Year's Eve. It is believed that in this way all sins can be washed away. By the way, the New Year in Cuba is called the Day of the Kings.
10. House cleaning in Italian
It is also customary to put things in order on New Year's Eve in Italy, only without detergents or a broom. The fact is that on New Year's Eve, Italians throw out old things, and right from the windows. It is believed that the more old things are thrown away, the more wealth and good luck the New Year will bring.
11. Best places for gifts
Santa Claus puts a present for our children under the Christmas tree, in Germany - on the windowsill, and in Sweden - near the stove. In England and France, it is customary to decorate a house with stockings and shoes, so Santa Claus puts gifts directly into shoes or stockings.
12. Residences of Santa Claus
In Russia, Father Frost has three whole houses: in Arkhangelsk (since the late 80s of the last century), Chunozero estate (since 1995) and Veliky Ustyug (since 1998). And a year ago, the house of Santa Claus appeared in Murmansk. Another, more virtual, home of Santa Claus is called the North Pole.
