Text by Britt E. Stafford
Photography by John O’Hagan
An impeccably garnished spruce, pine, or fir tree is an iconic custom during the Yuletide season. However, the elaborate and ornamented Christmas tradition celebrated today didn’t blossom among the British until the reign of Queen Victoria. An image of the royal family gathered around an elaborately decorated tree, published in 1848, inspired the nation to follow suit and incorporate decorated foliage in the home as part of the holiday celebration.
