Tradition of decorating Christmas trees came from Germany. The first trees were decorated in Europe in the XVII century.

It is believed that German preacher Martin Luther initiated this tradition in 1513. Returning home on Christmas Eve, Luther was fascinated and impressed by the beauty of a star-studded firmament which was so thick that it seemed as if the crown of the trees and sparkle like stars. At home, he put down the Christmas tree and decorated it with candles, and placed a star on the top in memory of the star of Bethlehem showing the path to the cave where Jesus was born.

First Christmas trees were decorated with all kind of edible objects, generally with apples symbolizing “forbidden fruit”.

Cookies, waffles and cakes symbolizing fresh small loafs which were used in Christian ceremonies were also on Christmas trees. Burning candles were put on branches, but it was dangerous because of the possibility of fire.

Appearance of the first glass ball Christmas ornaments can be considered as a contingency.  Because of the poor harvest of apples in 1848 in Lauscha settlement, Germany, they started producing Christmas tree glass ball ornaments. These early glass balls were hand made. However artisans soon began to use molds to increase their production. In 1867, production reached a new level they started making glass balls from colored glass. Silver nitrate covered the glass from the inside instead of harmful brass. Subsequently masters began making birds, stars, coaches, angels, and dozens of other figures. They were covered with gold and silver spangles in order to make them sparkle. Later the Christmas glass decorations were produced in many cities of Europe and the U.S., but their homeland was and remained Lauscha.