Although bringing a fir tree into your home and decorating it for Christmas has its origins in medieval German customs, we owe our modern tradition to Queen Victoria.

As a young Princess, Victoria's German-born mother would place a small fir tree decorated with "candles and sugar ornaments in her palace quarters every Christmas." (history.com) This sweet custom made a lasting impression.

After her marriage to German-born Prince Albert, Queen Victoria and her husband continued the German Christmas tree tradition at Windsor Castle. There the couple decorated table-top fir trees with candles, toys, candies, gingerbreads, and other embellishments for their children. 

In 1848, a festive scene of the young royal family gathered around a Christmas tree was depicted in a published engraving. As THE fashion trend-setter of the day, Queen Victoria's ornate Christmas tree became the talk of London society. It was only a matter of time before the idea spread across the rest of England and then on to America.

This year, why not treat your princess, prince, or favorite guest to a holiday tree in their room.