who started the xmas tree

The Christmas tree as we know it today actually has a long and fascinating history. The tradition of using evergreen trees as symbols of life and fertility during the winter months has been around for centuries. In ancient times, people would bring evergreen trees indoors as a reminder of the coming spring and the hope of new life. The tradition was later adopted by the early Christians as a symbol of the birth of Jesus Christ. The custom of decorating trees with lights and ornaments began in the 16th century, and the tradition of giving gifts under the tree began in the 1800s.