The tradition of decorating a tree with lights and ornaments has its roots in Germany during the 16th century. It's said that Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, was walking through the woods one night and was struck by the beauty of a tree lit up by moonlight. He brought the idea back to his home and decorated it with candles, creating the first Christmas tree. In the early 1800s, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, brought the tradition to England, and from there it spread across Europe and eventually to the rest of the world.