It's hard to pinpoint exactly where and how the Christmas tree tradition originated Wagon Christmas Tree on Car Xmas Vacation Shirt. Both Latvia and Estonia claim to be home to the Christmas tree. Latvia says its tradition of displaying Christmas trees dates back to 1510, when a trade association called the "House of the Black Tops" brought a tree to the city, decorated it, and then burned it down. . There is also a plaque in Riga's Town Hall Square commemorating the location of the first Christmas tree. Meanwhile, Germany thinks it is more likely that the Christmas tree appeared in Alsace in the 16th century.