Why People Are Putting Spiders In Their Christmas Trees
December 26, 2018
sources: Youth Time Magazine / Island Thyme Soap Company
Have you ever seen a spider ornament or decoration in someone’s Christmas tree? Have you ever wondered why some people choose to incorporate spiders into their Christmas tree decor? Well, if so, it’s your lucky day — because I’m going to tell you all about the Legend of the Christmas Spider.
The Legend of the Christmas Spider is an Eastern European folktale, which explains how people came to decorate their Christmas trees with tinsel. The legend is most popular throughout Ukraine, where many people decorate their trees with small spider ornaments. And now, for the legend itself:
A poor but hardworking widow once lived in a small hut with her children. One summer day, a pine cone fell on the earthen floor of the hut and took root. The widow’s children cared for the tree, excited at the prospect of having a Christmas tree by winter. The tree grew, but when Christmas Eve arrived, they could not afford to decorate it. The children sadly went to bed and fell asleep. Early the next morning, they woke up and saw the tree covered with cobwebs. When they opened the windows, the first rays of sunlight touched the webs and turned them into gold and silver. The widow and her children were overjoyed. From then on, they never lived in poverty again.
It is said that the tradition of decorating trees with tinsel originated from this story (tinsel was meant to resemble the webs). Folklore explains that finding a spider’s web on your Christmas tree will bring you and your family good luck. And that, my friends, is why some people choose to decorate their trees with a spider ornament (or many). I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll start shopping around for a spider ornament this year!