Barnum’s animal crackers in the circus-themed box were designed with a string handle so they could hang on a Christmas tree.

Source: http://www.tlc.howstuffworks.com

The artificial Christmas tree first came into existence in Germany some time during the 1800’s.  They were created to prevent the deforestation that was occurring due to the popularity of real Christmas trees. The first artificial Christmas trees were made out of dyed goose feathers.

Source: www.santasquarters.com

Edward H. Johnson put the very first string of electric Christmas tree lights together in 1882.  Johnson, Thomas Edison’s friend and partner in the Edison’s Illumination Company, hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs and wound them around his Christmas tree. Not only was the tree illuminated with electricity, it also revolved.

Source: www.loc.gov

According to the Guinness world records, the tallest cut Christmas tree ever was a 221-foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate Shopping Center in Seattle, Washington.

Source: www.kidworld.com