A
Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an
evergreen conifer such as
spruce,
pine, or
fir or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of
Christmas. Originally a Celtic custom, the Christmas tree developed in
early modern Germany (where it is today called
Weihnachtsbaum or
Christbaum) with predecessors that can be traced to the 16th and possibly 15th century, in which devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. It acquired popularity beyond
Germany during the second half of the 19th century, at first among the upper classes.