Emily Kalberer
Staff Writer
Isn’t it weird how people bring a huge tree into their house and decorate it with lights and decorative ornaments?
It might be even weirder that some people put a fake tree up in their house to decorate the same.
With the holiday season rapidly approaching there are many traditions to take part in, but many people do not know the true meaning behind most of them.
“My personal favorite Christmas tradition is traveling to my Grandma’s house in New York on Christmas Eve,” sophomore Tiana Lovaglio stated.
“We wait until midnight and my whole family opens up the gifts from one another from youngest to oldest,” Lovaglio continued.
While the origins of Christmas trees as a whole remain unclear, it is thought that the modern Christmas tree originated in western Germany, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
“I just moved out in July with my sister and her boyfriend, and we actually did put a tree up in our apartment. It’s plastic, and only 4 feet high from Five Below, but it’s still cute,” the accounting major said.
Christmas trees were originally used primarily by Christians, representing the birth and death of Jesus Christ, but now their use is mostly just decorative.
“I have never actually thought about how weird it is to actually put a tree in the middle of your house. I’m just going to ignore that because it’s cute,” said Lovaglio.
When Christmas time rolls around, many people take down their normal knick knacks, and transform the house into a winter wonderland, complete with snowmen, gingerbread men, Santa statues, elves, penguins, and more.
“I absolutely love decorating. It is seriously my favorite thing to do during the holidays. It is just the best part. I always try to convince everyone to do everything pink.”
“My family usually tries to stick to the usual reds and greens and occasional snowy blues, but now that I’m in my apartment, everything is going to be pink,” Lovaglio said smiling.
A long standing debate has been whether to put a star, an angel or something else atop the tree.
Encyclopedia Britannica states that the first Christmas trees featured a large candle on top, to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, which is said to have guided the Wise Men to baby Jesus.
Lovaglio stated that her family tree used to have an angel up top, but when her and her sister moved out, they switched to a star.
“Honestly, we just switched because me and my sister, Tanai, thought the stars looked prettier. There was no real reason behind the change,” said Lovaglio.
ESU will be taking part in some holiday traditions this winter season.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 4:30 p.m. there will be a holiday tree lighting at the College Circle. This event will feature the Warrior Marching Band, Cheerleaders and more.
ESU University Jazz and Concert Bands will be performing at The President’s Holiday Concert Sunday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall.