Traditionally, the Christmas tree was not put up until 24th December, Christmas Eve, and it was taken down on 6th January, 12th Night. The Germans used to put their tree up on Christmas Eve and take it down on 1st January, once the New Year celebrations were over. However, modern commercialism dictates that a lot of trees now go up as early as the first or second week in December.
Scandinavian Pagans were thought to have started the trend of bringing decorated trees indoors in order to attract the native fairy folk and tree into their homes to join in the celebrations. Germanic Pagan tribes are said to have been the first to place candles on the trees, while the Romans at Saturnalia, their midwinter festival, exchanged evergreen branches as a sign of good luck.
