Christmas tree with a star, ornaments and gifts

About this drawing

A Christmas tree with star on top is one of the most familiar holiday images in America. The tree topper is usually the very last decoration to go up, and in many homes placing it is a small ceremony of its own.

The two classic toppers are the star and the angel. The star recalls the Star of Bethlehem, which in the Gospel of Matthew led the Magi to the place where Jesus was born. The angel represents the angels who announced the birth to the shepherds.

On early decorated trees in Germany, families sometimes placed a figure of the Christ Child or a wax angel at the top. Over time the star became more common, and once electric lights arrived, light-up stars that plug into the tree lights became a favorite.

Today you can find toppers of every kind: glass finials, giant bows, snowflakes and even hats or characters. Many families let the youngest child place the star, with a lift from a grown-up, and that moment signals that the tree is finally finished. Some families even pass the same topper down through generations, bringing it out year after year as a treasured heirloom.

• christmas tree
• tree topper
• holiday decor
• gifts