The Story of the Icelandic Christmas Tree
Icelanders love Christmas. The holiday season in Iceland is a time of light, warmth, and togetherness, filled with traditions that bring families and communities together during the darkest days of the year. But one of the most iconic Christmas symbols, the Christmas tree, hasn’t been a part of Icelandic holiday celebrations for very long.
In fact, Christmas trees first appeared in Iceland in the mid-1800s. Back then, importing live trees was difficult and expensive, so Icelanders did what they do best—they improvised. They began crafting their own Christmas trees, using local materials and plenty of creativity.
The Birth of the Icelandic Christmas Tree
Unlike the lush, green evergreens that decorated homes in other countries, Icelandic Christmas trees were often handmade. People used driftwood, timber, or other available materials to build tree-shaped frames. To give them a more natural look, branches from heather or juniper were sometimes attached to the wooden structures.
These trees were then decorated with whatever the household could find—handmade ornaments, apples, candles, and even sweets. The decorations were simple but heartfelt, bringing the Christmas spirit into Icelandic homes despite the lack of live trees.
An Early Example of Craftsmanship
One of the earliest known Icelandic Christmas trees was made in 1873 by Jón Jónsson from Þverspyrna. He created the tree for Kamilla Briem, the wife of a pastor in Hruni. This handcrafted tree, adorned with local greenery, represents the ingenuity and charm of Iceland’s early Christmas traditions.
From Homemade to Modern Trees
As time passed, factory-made Christmas trees became more common in Icelandic homes, but many families continued to cherish their handmade creations. These unique trees often became family treasures, passed down through generations.
Simple, Beautiful, and Meaningful
The old Icelandic Christmas trees may not have been as grand as the imported evergreens of today, but they had their own charm. They were symbols of resilience and creativity, bringing warmth and beauty to homes during Iceland’s long, dark winters. The process of crafting and decorating the tree was as much about the joy of creating something together as it was about the finished tree.
Preserving the Tradition
Today, these handmade trees are celebrated at exhibitions like the one currently hosted at Húsið in Eyrarbakki. Visitors can see examples of old Icelandic Christmas trees, from the handmade creations of the 1800s to early factory-made models from the 19th century. The exhibition highlights how Icelanders adapted the Christmas tree tradition to suit their unique environment and culture.
The story of the Icelandic Christmas tree offers a glimpse into a time when traditions had to adapt to the realities of life in Iceland. These old trees, whether simple or elaborate, remind us of the evolving ways people have brought light and joy into their homes during the darkest days of winter. Today, they serve as a beautiful reminder of how Icelanders have embraced and made their own mark on global Christmas traditions.