A lovely tradition from Germany is the Bride's Tree. It is believed that a married couple's Christmas tree needs twelve specific ornaments for happiness in their life journey together.
The Twelve Bride's Tree Ornaments and What They Symbolize
- A Fish represents Christ's blessing, as well as fertility.
- A Teapot represents hospitality.
- A Bird symbolizes joy, happiness, and the Holy Spirit. If the bird is in a nest then it represents confidence in the cottage or home.
- An Angel or Church is a symbol of God's guidance.
- A Rabbit reflects hope and peace with nature.
- A Fruit Basket symbolizes generosity and plenty.
- A Heart is a symbol of true love and love in the home.
- A Pine Cone represents fruitfulness, eternity, motherhood, and fertility.
- A Flower Basket symbolizes good wishes or beauty in the home.
- A Rose is a symbol of affection and of the Virgin Mary. A yellow rose symbolizes faithfulness in the marriage.
- A House represents protection or family shelter.
- A Santa is a symbol of goodwill, giving and sharing.
Finding a Bride's Tree Ornament Collection can be difficult. In looking for one for our son and new daughter-in-law, I finally found some to choose from at eBay.com and at TheFrameWorkShop.com.
More Ornament Suggestions for a Couple's Christmas Tree
- A glass Carrot represents good luck in the kitchen.
- A Star symbolizes guidance.
- A Boat is representative of a couple sailing across the waters of life, both rough and smooth.
- Colored balls symbolize the diversity of our world.
- Paper chains or garlands show that we're all bound together.
- Lights show how the love of God is reflected in a couple's love for one another.
- The glass Pickle is supposed to be the last ornament hung on the tree - and hidden by parents. The child who discovered the pickle ornament would receive a special gift from St. Nicholas for being so observant.
- A Grape is a symbol of friendship or of sharing a glass of wine.
- A Bell represents joy and merriment.
