The Christmas tree

Timbeeeeeerrrr!!! The tradition of cutting down a tree, putting it in the living room and hanging decorations on it, would probably seem quite strange, if it was introduced today. But if you've grown up with that tradition, you probably think it's quite normal, at least around Christmastime. And Seamus is sitting on the roof, fastening a fir branch at the top corner. Why do I do this every Christmas?

It is a tradition - this decorating of trees. We've done this for a long time. Oh yes! My father used to do this! My grandfather as well?

My great great great great great grandfather too? Yes, it all began a long time ago. Maybe he put a fir branch on his house to keep 'evil powers' away. In those times, people believed in that. Huh huh huh.

I see no ghosts nor evil spirits. It works. Huh! Fantastic! Now it is 1741.

We are at the Wrede-Sparre family's house. Axel brings in the first Christmas tree we know of, in Sweden. It seems to me quite odd, Axel, this bringing in a tree? So might you think, Augusta. Well, this is done in Germany - and - I consider it 'attractive'.

We must show that we are well-traveled. ... natürlich. About a hundred years later, in the middle of the 1850's, the tradition has spread. The fir tree used as a 'Christmas tree', is now much bigger. Anders-Gustaf - Why does the fir tree have to be so big?

Because we are 'bourgeois' and have such high ceilings, Anna-Matilda. I myself consider it bewildering. Bah! Is my name Anna-Matilda? Yes, a double first name is common in Sweden right now.

Oh, dearie me... Now it is also common to smarten up the fir tree with decorations. Apples are used to weigh the branches down, and it is also common to add crackers and glass balls. It is now the 20th century and we are in between the two world wars. Now it's common to put the Christmas trees outside.

Cor Blimey! I am so completely fed up with this stupidly huge tree. It - is - going - out! Without delay! Indeed!

Out with this scrawny fir tree. Let's put in in the street! If Kerstin and Sven had looked at the floor, they would have noticed thousands of bugs, that came in with the tree - springtails, mites, beetles, butterflies, spiders, and tiny parasites ... Nowadays, about three and a half million Christmas trees are sold in Sweden, every year. There are several different varieties to choose from: Norway Spruce, Silver Fir, Nordmann Fir...

Hey, I'm not sure that this feels so good really... What? It can be used again and again... ... A plastic tree is climate smart! No, an eco-fir would have been better.

Eco-fir? Then we're back to all those bugs coming in... ? Come on... they can enjoy Christmas too... ? This is how the Christmas tree tradition has evolved.

From a simple fir tree in a pot ... to larger trees with decorations. Christmas trees outside... And modern, perhaps reusable fir trees. Wonder what happened to Seamus...

Good! With some fir twigs in front of the door - no evil powers can enter my house! But... What's going on now!? Blasted door...

won't open. Oh! The fir twigs are stopping the evil powers... No, of course... I locked before I left.

Ah well. Now - Christmas!