The tradition of decorating an evergreen tree for the winter holidays is a custom practiced across the globe. While ornamentation varies widely, ranging from simple handmade items to elaborate, color-coordinated themes, the goal remains the same: to create a festive focal point in the home. Many components are used to adorn the branches, but a few consistently stand out as the most popular and symbolic additions. Identifying the single most popular item requires looking beyond sheer quantity to find the one decoration that defines the tree’s completion.
The Definitive Answer: The Tree Topper
The single most defining element placed on the holiday tree is the ornament that rests at its apex, known as the tree topper. This decoration is traditionally the last one added, signifying the completion of the trimming process. The topper is frequently an Angel or a Star, serving as a symbolic conclusion to the tree’s narrative.
The Star topper represents the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Magi. Often designed with five points, this symbol draws the eye upward, reinforcing the tree’s spiritual meaning. Alternatively, the Angel topper represents the Angel Gabriel or the host of angels who announced Christ’s birth. Both options serve as a heavenly messenger, marking the decoration at the highest point of the tree as the most universally recognized single item.
Essential Components: Lights and Ornaments
While the topper is the single most popular item, the tree’s appearance is dominated by the components that cover its branches: electrical lights and decorative ornaments. The tradition of illuminating the tree began in 17th-century Germany with small, wax-secured candles. This practice evolved in 1882 when Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, displayed the first tree illuminated with hand-wired strings of electric lights, offering a safer alternative.
Ornaments originated in Germany with glassblowers creating small, reflective spheres known as Kugeln. These early glass pieces, often mimicking fruits and nuts, were designed to capture the limited light from candles. Modern ornaments are mass-produced in a vast array of materials, shapes, and colors, allowing people to personalize their tree with specific themes or sentimental mementos.
Traditional Accents and Finishing Touches
Beyond the lights and hanging ornaments, several draping elements and base covers are traditionally used to complete the tree’s decorated appearance. Tinsel, a long-standing accent, was first manufactured in Nuremberg, Germany, in the early 17th century using thin strips of real silver. Its initial purpose was to mimic falling icicles and reflect the light from the candles. Modern tinsel is made from plastic and provides a shimmering contrast to the branches.
Garlands are thicker linear decorations draped in a spiral pattern to add visual continuity and depth. These accents range from strings of wooden or glass beads to homemade decorations like strung popcorn and cranberries. Finally, the base of the tree is finished with a decorative covering, most commonly a fabric tree skirt that conceals the stand. A more contemporary option is the structured tree collar, which wraps around the base, providing a clean, polished aesthetic often made from metal or woven materials.