Jessie Taylor
The use of candles on Christmas trees dates back to at least the 17th century, when German Christians combined the burning of the Yule log with the Christmas tree, adorning the branches with candles. Over the centuries, people have devised various methods to affix candles to Christmas trees, including using melted wax, wire, tacks, and the invention of candleholders. While candles created a magical atmosphere, they also posed a fire hazard, leading to the development of safer alternatives such as electric lights and LED lights. Despite the evolution of lighting technology, some people still choose to decorate their Christmas trees with candles, carrying on a tradition that has captivated generations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time period | 1500s to 1930s |
| Regions | Germany, America, Nordic countries, Switzerland, UK |
| Affixing methods | Rope, wire, melted wax, tacks, stick pins, candle clips, homemade hanging pendulum candle holders |
| Candle composition | Tallow, beeswax, paraffin, stearin |
| Fire hazards | Yes |
| Safety measures | Buckets of water and/or sand, family supervision, lighting for short durations |
| Replacements | Electric Christmas tree lights, LED lights |
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What You'll Learn
Candleholders and clips
The use of candles on Christmas trees dates back to at least the 17th century, and people have devised various methods to secure them safely. Initially, people attempted to affix candles to trees using melted wax, needles, or wire and string. However, these methods often proved ineffective, leading to the development of specialised candleholders and clips.
One early solution was the homemade hanging pendulum candle holder, which was safer and easier to use. These pendulum candle holders were hung on the branches, with the candle balanced in place using a counterweight. Over time, more advanced candleholders were designed, featuring crimped tin bobeches (wax-catching dishes) and wire or sharp tacks to secure the candle and catch any dripping wax.
In 1878, Frederick Artz invented a clip-on candle holder, also known as a candle clip. These candle clips typically included a pin or clasp to hold the candle, a drip cup, and a spring-powered clamp to grip the branch. They could be easily produced in small metal shops and sold in Christmas markets and shops.
Despite these innovations, the use of candles on Christmas trees presented inherent dangers, and they gradually fell out of favour with the advent of electrification and the introduction of electric Christmas tree lights. However, the tradition of using candleholders and clips on Christmas trees remains a cherished memory for many, and there is a resurgence of interest in reviving this classic custom.
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Fire hazards
The use of candles on Christmas trees dates back to at least the 17th century when German Christians adorned the branches of Christmas trees with candles. Over time, various methods were devised to secure the candles to the branches, including the use of rope, wire, tacks, and melted wax. Despite these innovations, the combination of open flames and drying trees posed a significant fire hazard. Indeed, as Christmas trees became more popular in homes, concerns about fire safety grew.
One of the earliest solutions to the fire hazard was the invention of the bobeche, or wax-catching dish, patented for Christmas trees in 1867. This device caught any dripping wax, reducing the risk of fire. However, it did not address the underlying issue of having an open flame in close proximity to a flammable tree. As a result, accidental Christmas tree fires became prevalent, leading insurance companies to stop paying out for such incidents.
The fire hazard posed by candlelit Christmas trees prompted the search for alternative light sources. In the late 19th century, electric Christmas tree lights began to emerge as a safer option. These early electric lights, known as "festoons," could be turned on and off simultaneously and left unattended for extended periods. Despite their initial high cost, electric Christmas lights gradually gained popularity, and by the 1920s and 1930s, they had largely replaced candlelit Christmas trees in American households.
While the widespread adoption of electric Christmas lights significantly reduced the fire risk associated with Christmas trees, some families continued to use candles. Even today, in the era of LED lights, there is a revival of interest in candlelit Christmas trees, particularly among those who appreciate the simplicity and connection to the past. However, extra care and forethought are necessary to prevent accidents. For example, candles should not be placed underneath branches, and they should only be lit for specific times under supervision. Additionally, buckets of water or sand should be kept nearby as a safety precaution.
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The switch to electric lights
The tradition of lighting candles on Christmas trees dates back to at least the 17th century when German families decorated evergreen boughs with candles. In the 1800s, candles became a common Christmas decoration in German and American homes, and people devised various methods to affix them to Christmas trees. However, as electrification reached more households, electric Christmas tree lights began to gain popularity.
The first electrically lighted Christmas tree was recorded in 1882, and by the 1900s, electric lights had become a popular alternative to candles. In 1895, President Grover Cleveland featured electric lights on the White House tree, capturing the nation's attention. However, these early electric lights were hand-wired and expensive, making them inaccessible to the average American.
It wasn't until 1903 that GE introduced the first pre-wired Christmas lights, known as "festoons." These lights consisted of eight miniature coloured glass lamps and a screw-in wall socket, but they were still quite costly. Over time, electric lights became more affordable and widely adopted, and by the 1920s and 1930s, incandescent Christmas lights had become popular. In the 1990s, LED Christmas lights took over the market, offering even safer and more energy-efficient options for holiday lighting.
While electric lights have become the predominant choice for Christmas tree lighting, the tradition of using candles has not completely disappeared. In some countries, such as Switzerland, and in certain families, the practice of decorating Christmas trees with candles has persisted, combining old traditions with modern safety precautions.
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The role of pagans and Christians
The use of candles during Christmas has its roots in pagan traditions. In the darkest time of the year, pagans would light candles and bonfires to ward off evil spirits and celebrate the return of the sun. The candle tradition was also present in the Roman festival of Saturnalia, celebrated between December 17 and 23, where candles were lit and gifted.
As Christianity spread throughout Europe, these pagan traditions were often incorporated into Christian celebrations. The Christmas candle, for instance, came to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ, who was called the "Light of the World". The candle also represented the light of Christ coming into the world and the hope that he brought to the world.
The Christmas tree itself also has pagan origins. Pagans in Europe used branches of evergreen fir trees to decorate their homes and brighten their spirits during the winter solstice. The evergreen fir tree became a symbol of Christianity, with its triangular shape representing the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees with candles can be traced back to Germany in the 16th century. By the 1800s, candles had become commonplace Christmas decorations in German and American homes, and people devised various methods to affix them to Christmas trees. Some used long, thin rope candles that could be wrapped around branches, while others used wire, wax, tacks, or stick pins to secure thicker candles.
Eventually, with the advent of electrification, electric Christmas tree lights gained popularity, offering advantages such as ease of use and reduced fire hazards. By the 1930s, Americans had largely switched from Christmas tree candles to electric lights, marking a shift in how people illuminated their festive evergreens.
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Regional variations
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees with candles dates back to the 17th or 18th century in Germany. German Christians brought decorated trees into their homes, combining the burning of the Yule log with the Christmas tree, adorning the branches with candles. The tradition of illuminated Christmas trees then spread across Europe and America.
In Greenland, Christmas trees are imported from countries such as Denmark, and candles remain a focal point of Christmas tradition. The candles are lit on the first Sunday of Advent. In Italy, the presepio (manger or crib) is the centre of Christmas for many families. Small candles are fastened to the tapering sides of a wooden pyramid-like structure called the ceppo. A star or small doll is hung at the apex.
In the early 19th century, the Christmas tree was introduced to Vienna by Fanny von Arnstein and popularised by Princess Henrietta of Nassau-Weilburg. The custom spread across Austria and reached France in 1840, introduced by the duchesse d'Orléans. In Denmark, the first attested Christmas tree was lit in 1808 by Countess Wilhemine of Holsteinborg.
In the United States, the first electric Christmas tree lights were created in the 1890s, offering a safer alternative to candles. By the 1930s, Americans had made the switch to electric lights.
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Frequently asked questions
In the medieval ages, people used melted wax to attach candles to the branches of Christmas trees. They also used other methods like tying the candles with wire or string, or pinning them down with needles.
Yes, there were several issues with using candles on Christmas trees. Firstly, it was difficult to secure the candles to the branches. Secondly, there was a risk of fire, with some reports of Christmas trees catching fire due to the candles. Lastly, the wax from the candles could drip onto the ornaments or the floor, creating a mess.
The use of candles on Christmas trees gradually declined with the introduction of electric Christmas tree lights. By the 1920s and 1930s, incandescent Christmas lights became popular, and eventually replaced candles as the primary source of lighting for Christmas trees.
