(ARA) As you trim the tree and deck the halls, have you ever wondered why you are doing it? How did these customs get started and what do they symbolize? Although your holiday decorating taste may not reflect your grandmother’s or even your mother’s style, tradition is part of this holiday, more than any other. Perhaps no symbol of the season is more widely recognized than the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria’s German husband, Prince Albert, is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to England in the 1840s. Wanting to emulate the royal family, people began to adopt the custom and it soon became popular. Some historians trace the origin of the Christmas tree to an even earlier period. Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were used for ceremonies. Egyptians, in celebration of the winter solstice, brought green date palms into their homes as symbols of life triumphing over death. Likewise, when the Romans observed the feast of Saturn, part of the ceremony was the raising of an evergreen bough, and centuries ago in Great Britain, the Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Holiday ornaments have a sparkling history Druids considered holly and mistletoe symbols of eternal life and placed evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits. The urge to add sparkle to the tree started early. Martin Luther, in the 16th century, is credited as being the first person to put candles on a tree. The first electrically lighted Christmas tree appeared in 1882. In Victorian times, people had already started decorating trees with cakes, fruit, and small gifts that were hung on the branches with ribbon. In 1880, Woolworth’s first sold manufactured Christmas tree ornaments, and they caught on very quickly. Ornaments don’t have to be limited to hanging on your tree. Here are a few other decorating suggestions: Hang multiples of the same ornament from a mantle, interspersed with greenery, colorful berries, and candles, creating a shimmering holiday display. Enhance a chandelier or lighting fixture by attaching ornaments to it to provide a warm, enchanting setting. Transform a window into a stylish display, by hanging pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and ornaments from colorful Last MinuteGIFT GUIDE December 23, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 17 string or ribbon. Liven up a floral arrangement or an evergreen wreath with multiple ornaments. Call about our Christmas & New Years Catering No job too big or too small! ������� ������������ 99 West Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ Phone: 201-327-2423 Fax: 201-327-9550 Mike Canova-Owner, Graduate of Culinary Institute of America Monday thru Saturday 6am to 3pm • Sunday 7am to 2pm Fitness Forever 1on1 Personal Training BerniesBagels2x2(12-16-09) For Mike from Janine rev1 ������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������������� ����������������������� � � � � � � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ����������������������������������������������������������������� � � ��� � � � �� � � � � � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � Focusing only on you is what we do BEST!!! Free Assessment and Consultation Call today for an appointment 201.825.2324 Studio fitnessforeverpt@gmail.com www.fitnessforevernjvpweb.com 37B West Allendale Ave. • (A&P Shopping Plaza) • Allendale ������������� � � ��� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��� � �� � � � � � � � ��� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ���������������������������������� � � � � � �� � � � � � � ��� � � �� � � � � � � � � ��������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� Your Happiness is our SUCCESS here at Fitness Forever