The Christmas Tree

We now come to the most popular by far of all the Christmas centerpieces, the tabletop tree. No one today needs to be told how to erect such a tree, but there was a time when Christmas trees were not as well-known, and for that reason the following “recipe” was published in The Farmer and Gardener in December 1860:

Cut off the top of a wild cedar-tree, and fasten securely in a keg or box (trimmed with cut paper) with saw dust, or earth and stones. Tie the gifts intended for the little ones—the wagons, drums and heavy articles—on the lower branches, the lighter articles above; ornament with glass balls of various colors, pictures, and other pretty things not intended for the children—put a tiny wax candle on the taper end of each branch, and light up in the evening. Have one this year, if you never had before; it will repay you to see the wild delight of the children.⁵