Tree-topper


A tree-topper or treetopper is a decorative ornament placed on the top of a Christmas tree. Tree-toppers can take any form, but the most common shapes are a star, finials, angels, or fairies. Other tree-toppers include, ribbon bows, Father Christmases or Santa Clauses, Christian crosses, owls, white doves, spikes and sunbursts.
Tree-toppers may be made of blown glass, metal, or plastic, among other materials. Plastic tree-toppers are often electric and once connected with the tree's lights glow from within. Following World War II, various symbols of Christmastide, such as Santa Claus, were introduced as electrified tree-toppers.

Origin and use

Use of a Christmas angel as a tree-topper represents to some the angel Gabriel from the Nativity of Jesus:
Use of a star represents the Star of Bethlehem:
The use of the angel tree-topper goes back to the Victorian era, corresponding to the rise in popularity of Christmas trees in England. The Illustrated London News published a picture of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their family around a Christmas tree topped with an angel, and by its influence the Christmas angel became the most common tree-topper.
During the 1870s, in conjunction with the growing power of the British Empire, the Union Jack had become the most popular tree-topper.

Alternatives

Some Neo-pagan homes celebrate the winter solstice, which falls close to Christmas, by decorating an evergreen tree as a symbol of continuing life, but make an effort to decorate it with non-Christian symbols and often choose tree-toppers representing the sun.

Popular culture

's short story of "The Fir-Tree" describes the decoration of a Danish Christmas tree, including its topper, thus:
The use of a tree-topper is also depicted in Christmas songs, with lines such as Först en stjärna utav gull and So hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

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