Meanings Behind Christmas Decorations
We love to decorate our homes each year with beautiful festive decorations. Christmas trees, tinsel, fairy lights and wreaths, we just can’t get enough!
But ever wondered why we do it? Where do these decorations come from, and what do they symbolise?
We think it’s nice when the festive season comes round, and we can appreciate the meanings behind all our traditions. So in this blog we hope to answer all your questions regarding Christmas trimmings and their backgrounds!
Christmas is obviously a religious festival for Christians all over the world. There are many religious meanings behind lots of symbols, but sometimes they are not that clear.
Christmas Lights and Candles
This is a typical religious symbol of Jesus as the light in our lives. This is to guide us through times of darkness or sin, showing us the way we should live our lives. So when you string your lights around your tree or around your home, you’ll know the real reason for doing so!
Here at UK Christmas World we have a wonderful range of both indoor and outdoor lights, in all kinds of colours, shapes and lengths. Check out our website for some festive inspiration this year!
Holly
This prickly leaf is a reminder of the crown of thorns Jesus wore on the cross. The berries alongside symbolise the blood shed at this time. Such a pretty plant that always reminds us of Christmas but one that has quite a serious meaning behind it.
Stars
This one is a little more obvious, the origins of a festive star can be easily seen! It is to represent the star that led the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of baby Jesus in Bethlehem. So if you have a star on the top of your Christmas tree, you’ll now remember the meaning behind it!
Wanting to add this tradition to your decorations this Christmas? We have some wonderful Christmas tree toppers such as our 19cm Gold Glitter Tree Topper perfect for adding that Christmassy feel.
Wreaths
You may not realise the symbolism behind a festive wreath, but we think it’s quite a nice meaning that you’ll be able to remember. The wreath represents the eternal nature of God!
Check out our fantastic range of Christmas Wreaths on our website in a range of colours and sizes. Some come with lights already built in like the one above, some are just decorated simply with festive foliage, but whatever you are after we have something to suit any taste and budget!
Christmas Trees
Legend tells that there was a Catholic Archbishop in the 8th century who cut down an oak tree in Geismar, Germany dedicated to the pagan god Thor, instead directing attention to a little fir tree nearby. He stated “This humble tree’s wood is used to build your homes, let Christ be at the centre of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days, let Christ be your constant light. Its branches reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven, let Christ be your Comfort and Guide.”
If you’re looking for a new Christmas tree this winter, we have a wonderful stock of Artificial Christmas Trees, in all sorts of sizes and colours. With such a wide range of quality products, our website is certainly worth a visit if you’re looking to update your decorations this year.
Candy Cane
A yummy treat kids especially love over the festive season! These represent the shape of the shepherds’ crook that reminds us the Christ is the Good Shepherd.
There are some festive symbols out there that have less of a religious origin, but are still very popular and hold important meanings.
Bows
These are a symbol of togetherness. Reminding us that Christmas is a time to spend with loved ones who should be together at this time of year.
Mistletoe
This is a tradition that originates from Pagan practices. It was a symbol of fertility that has developed over the years. This is why we kiss under the mistletoe!
Stockings
This is a tradition that we love to do with our children, placing our stockings out for Santa to fill with gifts. But where did this come from? There is a tale that states Saint Nicholas, who wanted to remain anonymous and help a poor family, threw gold coins down their chimney. They fell into a stocking that was hanging there to dry and so began the tradition of hanging a stocking on the mantelpiece.
Here at UK Christmas World we have a lovely range of stockings for both children and pets! Just like our cute Christmas Character Stocking and our Santa Paws Stocking for your beloved cats and dogs!
These symbols are really common to us over our favourite time of the year. They are a big part of the Christmas we celebrate nowadays and show how it is an amalgamation of many different traditions, not just Christian. Different countries introduced each other to new practices and so Christmas developed into the wonderful holiday we love and celebrate around the world.