Our most beloved holiday decoration, the Christmas tree has held a special place in our hearts and homes for more than a century. Though German immigrants brought it to our country as early as the 1700's, most Americans did not adopt the custom until it became popular in Victorian England. When Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's German husband, decorated an evergreen tree at Christmastime, the Victorians responded by reproducing the splendor of the royal tree in their own homes. It wasn't long before it became fashionable in America as well. With the help of the ladies' publications of the day, families spent many happy hours creating imaginative decorations. Famous authors of the time, such as Charles Dickens and Hans Christian Anderson, immortalized the Victorian Christmas tree forever by describing its bountiful branches. In O Christmas tree, we honor the Victorians' contributions to the decorated evergreen. Many of the designs in this book were inspired by postcards, lithographs, and ornamental scraps from that era. It is our hope that this cross stitch collection will bring old-fashioned charm to your Yuletide celebration, now and for many years to come.