The Christmas tree is a beloved holiday tradition that can be traced back to the ancient pagan tradition of decorating evergreen trees with lights and ornaments during the winter solstice. In the 1500s, the Germans began to decorate their homes with trees adorned with candles and other decorations, and in the 1800s, Queen Victoria of England popularized the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in her household, spreading the tradition around the world. Today, Christmas trees are an integral part of many holiday celebrations, symbolizing the joy and magic of the season.