The christmas tree is one of the most iconic and beloved symbols of the holiday season. Its origins trace back centuries to early winter celebrations in Germany and Scandinavia. Today, the tradition of decorating an evergreen fir or spruce tree is practiced by millions of families worldwide. Alongside the popularization of the christmas tree tradition, christmas tree clipart has also become a staple for decorating, crafting, and spreading holiday cheer.
Origins of the Christmas Tree Tradition
The tradition of bringing an evergreen fir tree indoors and decorating it during winter is believed to have originated in 16th century Germany. At the time, evergreen trees were seen as symbolizing life during the long, dark winter months when most other vegetation was dormant.
Early winter celebrations culminated with bringing a fir tree inside and decorating it with candles, apples, and handmade ornaments. These early decorated trees may have also represented the Tree of Knowledge from the Garden of Eden. The triangles formed by the tree’s branches were said to represent the Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit according to Christianity.
Over the next few centuries, the tradition slowly spread to other Germanic regions, and then on to America along with German immigrants settling places like Pennsylvania. It grew into the universally beloved christmas tree tradition recognizable today by the mid 19th century.
Popularization of Christmas Tree Clipart
Along with the rising popularity of the christmas tree as a quintessential holiday symbol in the late 1800s, illustrations and decorative images of trees also grew prominent. Early advents in technologies like lithograph printing drove a boom of scrapbooking, cards, advertisements, and magazines for holiday crafts and activities, many heavily featuring christmas trees.
By the early 20th century and the age of mimeograph copying, styled outline images of christmas trees, ornaments, and other holiday symbols were being used extensively during the holidays for arts and crafts. Such early clipart has evolved into the digital christmas tree clipart widely used today.
Now, christmas tree clipart offers everything from simple black and white tree outlines to intricate full-color illustrations. Clipart files allow anyone to easily access decorative christmas tree images to adorn holiday cards, flyers, school projects, websites, and so much more.
Common Styles and Types of Christmas Tree Clipart
Christmas tree clipart comes in a few common styles and varieties:
- Realistic tree illustrations – Intricately styled illustrations aiming to mimic real-life fir and spruce trees. Often these are full green trees shown with realistic pine needles and branches.
- Cartoon trees – Simplified, animated christmas trees featuring smiles and playful personalities. These are popular for more lighthearted projects.
- Decorated and ornamented trees – Clipart trees shown already decorated with ornaments, garland, lights, and star toppers. Saves having to add decorations!
- Silhouette trees – Basic black or white shapes outlining common triangular christmas trees.
- Undecorated tree outlines – Blank canvas type tree shapes without decorations, allowing you to get more creative adding your own adornments.
The above are just a few of the most common styles. Christmas tree clipart also comes in shapes like wreaths, trees with presents, trees with Santa, trees with snow, pencil sketch trees, and much more.
Ideas and Uses for Christmas Tree Clipart
From craft makers to professional designers, christmas tree clipart makes spreading holiday cheer faster and easier. Almost anyone can find a great way to utilize these festive images. Just a few ideas include:
- Adding christmas tree clipart to holiday cards and invitations
- Putting trees on flyers, brochures, or posters for holiday events
- Decorating websites and blogs with some festive cheer
- Making DIY crafts like ornaments, gift tags, and more
- Designing holiday advertisements for products and sales
- Incorporating trees into holiday signage
- Printing trees on festive wrapping paper
- Adding some extra christmas spirit to holiday homemade treats
- Putting trees in school projects to celebrate the season
- Making custom holiday calendars, scrapbooks, or photo books
The options are endless! Christmas tree clipart can make the holiday season more magical wherever it’s used.
History intertwines with Tradition
When you decorate this year with glittering ornaments, twinkling lights, and festive christmas tree clipart, remember that you are taking part in centuries-old holiday traditions! The evergreen fir tree has long signified life and light during cold winter months, harkening back to early Germanic winter solstice celebrations.
As the christmas tree gained popularity in the 19th century thanks to historical figures like Germany’s Queen Victoria and Britain’s Prince Albert, decorative tree illustrations also grew in prominence. They were heavily used for holiday crafts during the mimeograph machine era, evolving into the digital vector clipart enjoyed today.
So when you adorn your projects with pretty christmas trees, whether realistic vector images, cute cartoons, or black and white outlines, you are sprinkling in a bit of history! The universal symbol of the holiday tree continues to spread cheer and magical memories.
Below clipartsign present 81 christmas tree clipart images free for design inspiration. Lets download Christmas Tree Clipart that you want to use for personal uses.
