Show christmas ch trees T rees universal I 1 symbol the christmas tree Is almost a universal symbol it Is common in many countries and its decorations mirror the cultural traditions and customs of the world the japanese who adopted american baseball have also adopted the christmas tree they have given it an oriental appearance by decorating its branches with japanese dolls woodcuts wood cuts small tangerines tang erines and rice cookies called iem sembel sem bei that hold paper slips of fortunes in germany where the christmas tree originated chains and baskets made by hand from ordinary newspapers when nothing else Is available are hung on the tree candles candies have been used for illumination ever since the time of martin luther when the custom of decorating trees at christmas first began the french christmas tree Is loaded with glittering ornaments and sugar baus balls hang from its branches in italy the crib Is the traditional symbol of christmas and is carefully arranged beneath every italian tree this custom dates back to 1223 when st francis of ass assist isi arranged the first crib at greblo italy using a simple manger with a doll to represent the christ child and adding live animals for realism czechs czecho decorate their trees with clusters of gilded nuts apples and cookies made to resemble animal figures peasant girls stars and village huts buts chicago of science and I 1 adus try placing wooden shoes on the doorstep for the good saint to gil fill with toys and sweets Is traditional dit ional dutch fashion carrots are left in the shoes for the he white horse which st nicholas rides in holland olland Il |