A tree farm near Elmira, Idaho

A tree farm near Elmira, Idaho

Maybe the time will come next year for the remaining evergreens at this tree farm in Elmira, Idaho. In ancient Rome, the midwinter celebration called Saturnalia included decorating houses with evergreen wreaths. Fast-forward to Germany in the 1500s to find the roots (heh) of the present-day Christmas tree. Decorations of that era included candles and fruit. We like both of those things, but if we’re trimming a tree, we’ll stick with safe, modern lights.