The Rise of Artificial Christmas Trees
If you’ve ever celebrated Christmas, you probably remember picking out or cutting down a real tree and watching it decorated with glittery ornaments, garlands, and lights. But as time goes on, more and more people are choosing to go the artificial route, and it’s easy to see why. Artificial Christmas trees have many advantages, including convenience, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. And with China being one of the largest manufacturers of these festive trees, it’s natural to wonder how they became so popular.
It’s believed that the first artificial Christmas trees came about in Germany in the mid-19th century. These early trees were made from goose feathers and were typically dyed green to resemble real pine trees. However, the modern artificial Christmas tree industry took off in the 1930s, with American companies manufacturing trees made from brush bristles, aluminum, papier-mache, and other materials. Today, the majority of artificial Christmas trees are made from PVC plastic.
One of the reasons that China has become a significant supplier of artificial Christmas trees is that they have the raw materials to make them. PVC plastic can be manufactured cheaply, and China has the workforce and infrastructure to produce mass quantities of the trees for export. In addition, many consumers appreciate the affordability of artificial trees, and China can offer competitive pricing while still maintaining quality.
Get Creative with Onigiri Ornaments
While artificial Christmas trees have their history and charm, you can put your twist on your decorations by making your own Onigiri ornaments. Onigiri is a traditional Japanese snack of rice balls shaped into triangles or rounds, sometimes with savory ingredients like salmon, pickled plum, or tuna.
To make Onigiri ornaments, you’ll need cooked sushi rice, sheets of nori seaweed, and some decoration essentials like ribbons, strings, and tiny bells. Simply form the rice into triangle or ball shapes, wrap the nori around each, and decorate it with patterns or images. Use a toothpick or chopstick to make tiny holes to hang your creations on your tree.
Whether you go with a synthetic or natural tree or craft your ornaments, it’s easy to make your holiday decoration unique. With the Great Wall of China, Onigiri ornaments, and artificial Christmas trees, you can blend different cultures’ holiday traditions and create something your own.