Christmas holiday traditions abound. And the Christmas tree, like the other traditions, has a long and varied history. The following list provides visual resources for sharing some about this Christmas symbol’s history and customs with your students:
O Christmas Tree: Its History and Traditions by Jacqueline Farmer explains some of the customs and traditions of the Christmas tree through the centuries.
The White House Historical Association‘s website provides an overview of the history of Christmas trees in the White House, a tradition started by President Benjamin Harrison in 1899.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: The History and Lore of the World’s Most Famous Evergreen by Nancy Armstrong and Alexandra Lewis shares the history of another famous Christmas tree in America.
You can also view the History Channel’s short video about the Life of a Christmas Tree to learn more about the process involved in “creating” the trees used each year during the Christmas season.
Picture This! Visual Literacy in the Classroom 