Three different theories trace the Christmas tree back to the 1400s or 1500s. Two others go even further back.

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was first displayed in New York City in 1931. See how the evergreens have transformed over the years and which traditions have stood the test of time.

The coniferous tree, a charming part of Christmas, was lit up with candles for years. These posed a hazard as they could catch fire, turning the holiday into a tragedy for many people. On December 22,

As I sit here looking at our 2025 Christmas tree, I thought it might be interesting to dig into the history of the tradition.

In 1917, Huntington Taylor, manager of the Edward Rutledge Lumber Mill, started the tradition by having a tall tree erected at Fourth and Sherman. On Christmas Eve that same year, the base of the tree became home to another tradition — a caroling program performed by groups of students from the city’s schools and churches.