A tree farm near Elmira, Idaho

© Woods Wheatcroft/Aurora Photos

A tree farm near Elmira, Idaho

Maybe the time will come next year for the remaining evergreens in this tree farm in Elmira, Idaho. In Ancient Rome, the midwinter celebration called Saturnalia included decorating homes with evergreen wreaths. Fast-forward to the Renaissance and early modern Germany to find the roots (heh) of the present-day Christmas tree. Decorations from that era would have included candles and fruit. We like both of those things, but if we’re trimming a tree, we’ll stick with safe, modern lights.