When to put up a Christmas tree in 2021?

When the end of the year approaches, people tend to get in the mood and decorate their homes to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. A recurring question is “When to put up Christmas tree 2021?“. We have prepared a guide on the subject, including historical curiosities and 5 suggestions for unique decorations!

When is the right day to put up a Christmas tree?

There is no hard and fast rule about when to put up a Christmas tree 2021. There are those who want to make use of the decoration as early as October, while others leave it until the last minute. But, according to Christian tradition, the recommended date is the first Sunday of Advent, which is the four-week liturgical time that prepares for the birth of the baby Jesus. In 2021, it falls on November 28th.

To give you an idea, the moment considered ideal varies in each country. In Portugal and Italy, the decoration is organized on December 8th, when the Day of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated. In the United States, in turn, it is Thanksgiving Day, a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

When to dismantle the Christmas tree?

Just like assembly, disassembly raises doubts about the right time. Again, there is no hard and fast rule. Many remove all Christmas references soon after the end of the year festivities. However, the tradition is to follow Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6, when the three wise men would have arrived at the birthplace of the baby Jesus, following the direction indicated by the star of Bethlehem.

Origin of the Christmas tree

Do you have any idea how the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree came about? The history of the modern version is full of controversy. Possible places of origin are Talinn (current Estonia), Riga (current Latvia) or Bremen (current Germany), around the 1500s. Before that, historians point to links with pagan cultures, being a symbol of prosperity.

Some attribute the tradition to the German Martin Luther (1483-1546), an Augustinian monk and German theology professor who became one of the central figures of the Protestant Reformation. It is said that, while walking through the forest, he was enchanted by a snow-covered pine tree under the glow of the stars. Therefore, he would have tried to reproduce the image at home, with pine branches, cotton to symbolize snow and candles to imitate the brightness of the stars.

The Christmas tree tradition only spread in 1846, with the publication of an illustration of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), of the United Kingdom, with her family around the ornament. In Brazil, it emerged at the beginning of the 20th century.

Another interesting fact is that traditional ball decorations were created in 1847 by a glassblower from Lauscha, Germany. Over time, other decorative items appeared, including the star at the top, which symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, which would have guided the three wise men to the place where the baby Jesus was born.

Do you know why gifts are available around the tree? It is also a reference to the three wise men, who brought gifts to the baby: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Christmas tree 2021 trend

Now that you’ve discovered when to put up a Christmas tree 2021, let’s talk about the decoration? In Brazil, the decoration is usually artificial and follows the shape of a green pine tree. Normally, it receives balls, bows, lights, pine cones, snowmen… The traditional colors of the decorations are silver, gold, green and red. But, every year, trends and new ideas emerge, including handcrafted models, such as those made in crochet, yo-yo and wood. If you want to vary, be inspired by some proposals:

The Christmas tree with white branches is an elegant idea and deviates from the traditional. In the photo above, it was accented with gold balls and pine cones. The wooden base gives it a rustic look.

Those who have craft skills can invest in cones decorated with crochet in knitted thread. To finish, just glue some ribbon and string bows.

A different proposal is to mount the tree on the wall, as in the image above. It was made with three pieces of wood, forming a triangle. Twinkle lights, red balls, a bow at the top and foliage at the base finish off the look.

The MDF Christmas tree received a dotted painting technique. The red ball finishes off the production with a touch of shine.

The option above is ideal for enhancing the decor on supper night. It is made with brigadeiro balls with green and red sprinkles.

When to set up the nativity scene?

In addition to the Christmas tree, do you also have the habit of including a nativity scene in your home decor? Tradition indicates that it should be assembled little by little, starting on the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on November 28, 2021. On each Sunday, place some of the characters: manger, animals, angel, star, shepherds, three wise men, Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus only enters the scene on the night of December 24th, celebrating his birth.

Read more: how to decorate christmas tree, simple and cheap Christmas decoration tips, Christmas presents It is happy holidays messages for family.