How Christmas decorations can positively influence our mood
Christmas decorations are not only beautiful to look at, but can also have a positive effect on our mood. This is especially important during the Christmas season when the days get shorter and the nights get longer. The decorations remind us that the light will soon return and the darkness will be defeated.
1. Christmas decorations and their meaning
Many people decorate their homes not only for Christmas but also for other festivals and seasons. However, most of us do not do this consciously, but simply follow the traditions of our family or our culture. But if we make the effort to think about the origins of our decorations, we may be able to appreciate them even more.
Some of the most popular Christmas decorations include mistletoe, pine cones, candles and baubles. Each of these decorations has a deeper meaning and an interesting origin. The mistletoe is a symbol of happiness, health and fertility. It was already used in ancient times as a talisman against evil spirits and illness. Even today, mistletoe is still hung in the doors and windows of houses and shops in many European countries.
In Germany it is believed that mistletoe brings good luck if you walk under it. In Great Britain, however, mistletoe is considered a symbol of love and friendship. Pine cones were already used in ancient times as a protective symbol against evil spirits.
In Europe, the fir tree has always been a popular Christmas symbol. The cones of the fir tree are considered symbols of growth and fertility. In Scandinavia, however, the fir tree as a Christmas tree has long stood for joy and hope.
Candles were originally used in churches to represent the light of God. Candles are still lit in many churches today, but they have also found their way into the Christmas decorations of many private households. Candles are a symbol of peace and hope, reminding us that Jesus is “the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Baubles are perhaps the most common Christmas decoration of all. They can be made of glass, metal or plastic and come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Baubles are often associated with the star Christmas tree decoration motif because they symbolize both stars - the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the way to Jesus, as well as the star in the northern sky, which marked the beginning of Jesus' new life. But balls can also have other meanings - for example, in many Christian traditions they represent the angels who surrounded Jesus when he was born.
2. The history of Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations are a centuries-old tradition that originally comes from Europe. The first Christmas trees were decorated in Germany, and soon the tradition found its way to England and America. In recent decades, Christmas decorations have changed a lot, but some of the old traditions are still alive.
The first Christmas tree was decorated in Bohemia in 1419. Around 1510, Martin Luther, the famous German religious reformer, declared the Christmas tree to be a symbol of Christmas.
However, some historians believe that the idea of decorating Christmas trees is much older, dating back to Druids, who supposedly decorated trees with lights to celebrate the return of sunlight. The first Christmas tree decorations were fresh fruits and nuts.
In the following centuries, glassblowers were able to make ornaments. Glass art was a very expensive affair at that time, so only the rich could afford such luxury objects.
There are tons of different types of Christmas decorations these days. However, when choosing the right decorations for your home, keep in mind that traditional elements such as fruits and nuts are still popular. So if you want to bring some traditionality to your holiday decorations, consider these elements.
3. How Christmas decorations affect our mood
In recent years, Christmas decorations have become increasingly popular. Many people decorate their houses and apartments with Christmas decorations to create the holiday spirit. But how do such decorations affect our mood?
Researchers have found that Christmas decorations can actually affect our mood. A study has shown that people who decorate their homes and apartments for Christmas tend to be happier than people who don't. The study also showed that Christmas decorations can reduce our perception of stress. People who decorated their surroundings for Christmas reported feeling less stressed and enjoying the holiday season more.
Christmas decorations can not only improve our mood, but also make our stressful everyday lives a little more relaxed. So if you haven't purchased any Christmas decorations this year, you might want to consider it!
4. Tips for choosing the right Christmas decorations
- 1) Christmas decorations should be adapted to the decor of the house. This way you can ensure that everything looks harmonious and there are no unnecessary contrasts.
- 2) When choosing Christmas decorations, make sure that they match your personality and taste. This makes your home a true expression of your personality.
- 3) Christmas decorations should not only look beautiful but also be practical. Here's how to make sure you don't get stressed over the holiday season.
- 4) When choosing Christmas decorations, think about safety. This way you can ensure that there are no accidents and that all decorations are child-safe.