The word "Christmas" first appears in 1170, where the Bavarian poet Spervogel used it in his written poem: "ze den wihen nahten" (in the blessed nights).

Up until the 14^th century the Christmas celebration remained attached mainly to the clerical environment. Different and specific features were created, e.g. the "Kindleinwiegen" (rocking the baby) in monasteries or the popular nativity plays in the Middle Ages. All along, Christmas customs of the guilds started to develop very early. Therefore, the oldest record of a decorated Christmas tree dates back to 1419 and the Bakery Guild of Freiburg. Only after this and mainly since the 17^th century, Christmas celebrations started to enter into private homes. Especially in the circles of the middle-class and the aristocrats, Christmas customs and decoration forms started to develop, which finally "grew together " into a solid appearance around the 19^th century, and which still determine today's "traditional Christmas celebration".