Christmas trees have a long and rich history, dating back to the Middle Ages. The ancient Egyptians and Romans are thought to have used evergreen trees to celebrate the winter solstice, while the Vikings are believed to have decorated trees with fruit and nuts to honor their gods. In Germany, the first recorded use of Christmas trees can be traced back to the 16th century, when Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, is said to have brought a small evergreen tree into his home and decorated it with candles.