Christmas decoration Facts for Kids

On Christmas Day, the Christ Candle in the center of the Advent wreath is traditionally lit in many church services.

Christmas decorations, Germany

Lindenallee-weissenbach-triesting-weihnachten

Christmas decoration in front of The church in Weissenbach an der Triesting

A Christmas decoration is anything used to make places look festive during Christmas time. These decorations help create a happy and celebratory mood.

The main colours for Christmas are usually pine green, snow white, and bright red. Blue and white are also popular, often showing winter scenes or sometimes linking to Hanukkah, which happens around the same time. Shiny gold and silver colours are also very common.

You might see many different images on Christmas decorations. These include Baby Jesus, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, and the star of Bethlehem. For winter themes, you'll often find snowflakes, snowmen, icicles, and even penguins or polar bears.

Types of Christmas Decorations
When Decorations Are Used
- Taking Down Decorations
Images for kids
See also

Types of Christmas Decorations

There are many different kinds of decorations used during the Christmas season. Each one helps to make homes and public spaces feel special.

Decorating Christmas Trees

One of the most famous Christmas traditions is decorating a Christmas tree. People put lights and special ornaments on the tree. These can be shiny balls, small figures, or handmade crafts.

Popular Christmas Plants

Certain plants are very popular for Christmas decorating. These include holly, mistletoe, and ivy. The Christmas tree itself is usually a type of evergreen tree.

Inside homes, people often use these plants. They might also hang garlands and other evergreen branches. Sometimes, these garlands have small ornaments or tiny lights woven into them.

Wreaths and Their Meaning

Wreaths are round decorations often hung on doors. They are made from real or fake conifer branches, like pine or fir. Some wreaths use other broadleaf evergreens or holly.

You can find different types of branches in one wreath. They are often decorated with pinecones, sprays of berries, and other Christmas ornaments. A bow is usually added, and sometimes a candle is placed in the middle.

Christmas Lights and Displays

Christmas lights are a big part of the holiday season. People hang them on doors, windows, walls, and even on outdoor lamp posts. These lights make everything sparkle and glow.

Since the 19th century, the poinsettia plant has been linked to Christmas. This plant comes from Mexico and has bright red leaves.

Nativity Scenes

In many countries, creating a Nativity scene is very popular. This scene shows the birth of Baby Jesus. People often compete to make the most original or realistic scenes. For some families, the pieces used in their Nativity scene are very old and special, passed down through generations.

Christmas Stockings

One of the most popular Christmas decorations is the stocking. The story says that Saint Nicholas would sneak into homes through the chimney. He would then put gold into stockings that were hanging by the fireplace. Today, stockings come in many styles, from simple velvet ones to fancy, animated designs.

Glass Ornaments from Germany

Figural glass Christmas ornaments first came from a small town called Lauscha in Germany. This happened in the late 1800s.

A man named F.W. Woolworth found these glass ornaments during a trip to Sonnenburg, Germany, in the 1890s. He started selling them in his "five and ten cent" stores in America. These ornaments helped Woolworth's business become very successful.

When Decorations Are Used

Christmas decorations in a private home, Europe.

Christmas decorations are usually put up in late November or early December. This often happens around the start of Advent, which is a special time before Christmas. In the UK, Christmas lights in towns are usually turned on in November. In the U.S., the Christmas season traditionally begins after Thanksgiving.

Many big stores start selling Christmas decorations right after "back to school" sales end. However, smaller shops that specialize in Christmas items might sell them all year long.

Taking Down Decorations

In some places, Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night. This is the evening of January 5 or January 6.

In the United States, most stores quickly remove their decorations the day after Christmas. This is because the main gift-buying season is over. However, most Americans keep their home decorations up and lit until at least New Year's Day. Inside decorations can often be seen in windows for several days after that.