Christbaum

Christbaum is the German term for the Christmas tree, an evergreen conifer used as a central decorative element during the Advent and Christmas season in German-speaking countries and communities with German heritage. The name combines Christ, referring to Christmas, with Baum, meaning tree. In everyday speech the tree may also be called Tannenbaum, especially when emphasizing its evergreen conifer form, but Christbaum highlights its festive function.

The tradition centers on bringing a decorated tree into the home for Christmas celebrations. Its precise origins are debated, but documented practice in German-speaking areas appears in the early modern period, with widespread adoption in the 18th and 19th centuries. Candles were once a common illumination on Christbäume, reflecting local customs before electric lights became available. By the mid-20th century, electric lights and commercially produced ornaments made the practice more standardized and accessible in many households. Public and communal displays, including town squares and markets, also feature decorated Christbäume.

Species commonly used for Christbäume include Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana), spruce varieties (such as Picea), and noble fir (Abies procera), chosen for their dense branches and long-lasting needles. In many countries, specialized Christbaumkulturen (tree farms) supply fresh trees year round, and seasonally sourced trees are often netted and transported to homes, offices, and events. Decorations range from glass baubles and ribbons to lights, tinsel, and edible ornaments, with regional and family traditions shaping the final display.

Today, the Christbaum remains a symbol of Christmas in German-speaking regions and has influenced Christmas tree customs worldwide, while the term itself highlights the tree’s festive purpose rather than its botanical form.