The magic of Christmastime does not simply come from the movies, it is rather an intricate and complex architecture made up of history, tradition, design, and emotion. For centuries, this season has been constructed not just through rituals and celebrations, but through the visual and spatial elements that define its so recognizable aesthetic. From the green of trees to the golden of lights and candles, Christmas has become synonymous with specific symbols and sensations that transform our homes, streets, and cities into powerful evoking scenarios. But the question that remains is: what makes something truly Christmassy?
In this first article of a four-part series, we’ll uncover the historical foundations of Christmas aesthetics, exploring the origins and significance of evergreens and lighting. Together, these elements form the basis of holiday design, bringing together nature, history, and symbolism into a celebration that feels timeless yet deeply personal and familiar.
Evergreens: a symbol of life and renewal for the winter’s coldness and stillness
Christmas greenery does more than merely decorate; it connects us to ancient stories of resilience and hope. Long before the birth of Christ was celebrated, people in Europe already adorned their homes with evergreens during midwinter festivals. The Romans, for instance, celebrated Saturnalia, an ancient Roman festival and holiday in honor of the god Saturn, with garlands of ivy and holly, believing these plants held protective powers. The Celts, too, prized the mistletoe as a symbol of fertility and life, hanging it to ward off malevolent spirits.
The Christmas tree as we know it, however, emerged from Germanic Yule traditions, where evergreen trees symbolized the promise of spring. By the Victorian era, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert brought the tradition into popular culture, transforming the decorated tree into the centerpiece of holiday celebrations. These trees, adorned with candles, fruits, and hand-crafted ornaments, quickly became symbols of festivity and warmth.
Evergreens hold a unique power in Christmas aesthetics because they are both natural and architectural. Their symmetry and structure mirror the design principles of balance and unity, while the strong green injects life into the palette of winter. Whether shaped into wreaths or towering trees, they frame our celebrations with beauty and meaning, offering a sense of continuity even in the heart of winter.
Lighting: the whimsical soul of Christmas atmosphere
As much as evergreens ground Christmas in nature, light elevates it into the whimsical orbit of wonder. Light has long been integral to midwinter rituals, offering comfort in the darkest days of the year. David Bertaina, in The Oxford Handbook of Christmas, tells us:
"From the flickering Yule log to the gilded glow of medieval church altarpieces, light has symbolized hope and renewal for millennia”.
In Gothic and medieval churches, candlelit services transformed sacred spaces into luminous sanctuaries. The warm, dancing glow of light was more than practical; it was spiritual, drawing people into a shared moment of reflection and community. This legacy continues to our modern days in the form of twinkling lights that adorn trees, homes, and streets. While LEDs may have replaced candles, the emotional resonance of light remains unchanged.
Lighting is also an architectural and artistic tool, shaping the way we perceive and experience spaces. Whether strung delicately across a mantle or cascading down the branches of a tree, light creates depth, intimacy, and magic. It turns ordinary rooms into festive havens and transforms cityscapes into luminous celebrations.
The harmony of nature and illumination
What makes these elements unmistakably Christmassy is how they work together to craft a narrative of hope and connection. Evergreens bring the grounding permanence of nature, while light imbues spaces with warmth and transcendence. Together, they create a sensory experience that feels both rooted in history and alive with modern creativity.
This interplay is deeply architectural, mirroring how humans design spaces to balance practicality and emotion. A wreath’s circular form, for example, represents eternity, while the upward elongation of a Christmas tree draws the eye toward the heavens. These elements invite us not just to decorate, but to reflect on and feel the timeless themes of renewal and unity that underpin the season.
Looking ahead: The Victorian era legacy on Christmas aesthetics
As we explore the foundations of Christmas aesthetics, it becomes clear how deeply the past informs our current celebrations. Yet, few eras have shaped modern Christmas iconography more profoundly than the Victorian age. From its opulence to its rich colors and elaborate decorations, this period solidified much of what we recognize as holiday imagery today.
In the next article of this series, we’ll cover the Victorian influence on Christmas, going through how this era’s architecture, design, and cultural traditions defined the season’s identity.
For now, as you savor the glow of lights and admire the evergreen symbols of the season, remember: Christmas is not just celebrated, it is meticulously designed.
References
Restad, P. L. (1995). Christmas in America: A History. Oxford University Press.
Larsen, T. (Ed.). (2020). The Oxford Handbook of Christmas. Oxford University Press.
Bertaina, D. (Chapter 22). “Trees and Decorations”.
Litwicki, E. (Chapter 23). “Gifts and Charity”.
Cartwright, M. (2021). Christmas Through the Ages. World History Encyclopedia. Origins of Christmas trees, greenery, and lights in Anglo-Saxon and Roman traditions.
Farrelly, E. (2023). Sunshine, Snowflakes, and City-Making. ArchitectureAU. Modern interpretations of light in urban Christmas celebrations.
Cisneros, N. (2019). A Victorian Christmas Victorian Architecture That Embodies the Spirit of the Season. BIMsmith Blog. Victorian architecture’s influence on Christmas decor and traditions.
Frodsham, P. (2022). From Stonehenge to Santa Claus: The Archaeology of Christmas. The Past Magazine. Links between ancient midwinter celebrations (Saturnalia, Yule) and modern Christmas traditions.
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