Because Eliza Hamilton grew up in a Dutch household, she may have had a Christmas tree, as the Germans and Dutch had been using them for many years. But there’s no record about how the Hamiltons celebrated Christmas, so we don’t know for sure.
The first documented Christmas tree in the U.S. was at Fort Dearborn, on the site of the present-day city of Chicago, Illinois, in 1804, the year of Hamilton’s death. But like all good traditions there are other sources claiming other things, like one says the first records of Christmas trees being cut for display comes from the 1820s in Pennsylvania's German community, although trees may have been a tradition there even earlier. As early as 1747, Moravian Germans in Pennsylvania had a community tree in the form of a wooden pyramid decorated with candles.
I found this blog post on how the Washingtons celebrated Christmas and you can suppose that Christmas for the Hamiltons was about the same, a subdued celebration, if any, and mostly focusing on the religious aspect.
But one thing that had been done for centuries before is using greenery to decorate indoors during Christmas. Garlands made of pine, holly, ivy, and mistletoe were popular and easy enough to make. I’ve made a few wreaths with rosemary and they turned out very well. I gave them as gifts one year and people have kept them, claiming they still smell lovely.
Here’s a great blog post on what kind of greenery to collect to make your own wreaths or garlands.
Do you use fresh greenery for your decorating?
I've found rosemary "trees" in some stores at Christmas time. They do smell good. Eucalyptus would also be good to use, and it lasts a long time. I am sure the wreaths you made were very appreciated!
I am really enjoying this blog series and the history! Thank you for all your research and for sharing with us!
I've used fresh greenery in the past and really like it! I grew up in Minnesota and love the fresh evergreens! Thank you sharing the wreath information - I will save that for next year!
No, all of our greenery is fake. I’m not a fan of the pine smell.
Growing up my parents always used greenery to decorate during the holidays. I stopped using live trees and greenery when I had kids, my boys had asthma and they couldn't have that in the house without it triggering their symptoms. They are grown now and I've never gone back to the traditions bcz I don't want to trigger anyone's allergies.
Cindi Knowles