Did you know that the Christmas Tree as we know it originated in Germany.  The children were not allowed to see the tree until Christmas Eve.  The tree would be decorated with candies, nuts, cookies, apples, angels, tinsel, family treasures and candles.  The presents were put under the tree and a bell was rung.  The children would enter the room where they would sing carols, read stories and open presents.  The Christmas Tree did not become popular around the world until 1848 when Queen Vicktoria talked her husband, Prince Albert, into decorating a tree in their home following the German traditions he grew up with.  At that point other countries tried to compete with the Queen and each tree became more extravagant.