A small tree, usually a fir, set up in a room, illuminated and hung with ornaments, and bearing Christmas presents; a famous feature of Christmas celebration in Germany, frequently but imperfectly imitated in England, especially since its introduction into the royal household in the early years of the reign of Queen Victoria.
[1789. Mrs. Papendick, Jrnls., II. 158 (N. & Q.). This Christmas Mr. Papendick proposed an illuminated tree according to the German fashion.
1829. Greville Mem. (Xmas.) The Princess Lieren got up a little fête such as is customary all over Germany. Three trees in great pots were put upon a long table [etc.].]
1835. A. J. Kempe, in Loseley MSS., 75. We remember a German of the household of the late Queen Caroline, making what he termed a Christmas tree for a juvenile party.
1848. Illust. Lond. News, 1 Jan., 431/1. Christmas Festivities at Windsor … the sideboards were surmounted with stately ‘Christmas Trees,’ glittering with pendant bonbons, [etc.].
1853. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 238. I … had nothing to do but dress dolls for a Christmas-tree.
1869. Hazlitt, Brand’s Pop. Antiq. (1870), I. 287. But the Christmas-tree … came to us from Germany directly, and is still (1869), a flourishing institution among us.
