The twinkling lights and vibrant ornaments adorning Christmas trees in homes around the world are a cherished symbol of the holiday season. But the journey of this tradition, from its debated origins to its modern celebration, is a fascinating tale spanning centuries and continents.

Riga, Latvia, stakes its claim as the birthplace of the Christmas tree, with documentation suggesting the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a guild of merchants, decorated a tree with artificial roses, danced around it, and then set it ablaze in the marketplace in 1510. A plaque in Riga commemorates this event, proclaiming it the "First New Year's Tree." However, Tallinn, Estonia, challenges this narrative, asserting that the same Brotherhood brought a tree to their Town Square in 1441, nearly 70 years earlier.

Regardless of which city holds the true title, both Riga and Tallinn continue to celebrate the Christmas tree tradition with annual displays and festive markets, offering visitors a chance to experience the magic of a winter wonderland.

While the outdoor tradition's origin remains contested, the practice of bringing Christmas trees into homes is widely attributed to 17th-century Germany. Early decorations included apples, paper strips, and gilded nuts, far from the elaborate ornaments we see today.

This custom made its way to the United States in the 19th century and truly took root in the early 20th century with the establishment of the first Christmas tree farm in New Jersey in 1901. Today, thousands of Christmas tree farms across the US provide families with the opportunity to select their perfect tree, a cherished tradition for many during the holiday season.