Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

Along with Santa Claus and exchanging presents, decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most commonly observed yuletide traditions.

Time has significantly changed the custom in mean and manner. The earliest known celebration of this sort dates back to pagan solstice celebrations honoring evergreen trees. But in later origins, it is Germany that is credited with starting the decorating of the Christmas tree.

Many believe it was Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, who first added lighted candles to the trees. Walking toward his home, he looked up through the branches at the stars. Finding them remarkable, he wanted to recreate their beauty by adding lights on his own tree.

The tradition came to America in many ways. Settlers from different descent brought their own variation of the custom.

Decorations have evolved greatly through the years, beginning with just candles. Then Victorian trees were decorated with candles, fancy cakes and sweets. Next came tinsel, strands of popcorn and sewn or glued ornaments. Tinsel, which was first produced in pure silver, was found to tarnish. So people tried to mix lead and tin in with it, but that proved to be too heavy. Finding no other solution, silver became the primary form and continued well into the mid-20th century.

Like most traditions of its nature, it does have distant pagan background, which accounts for many adorning rituals. But for most people in modern times, decorating their trees is not about getting down and dirty with Mother Nature. Many simply adorn their trees to keep up with the Joneses.