 Bringing fresh-cut evergreen trees into the home for Christmas became popular in America after Queen Victoria and her family were pictured in the Illustrated London News in 1846 beside their decorated tree. Before that, German families decorated winter evergreens, but the tradition had not yet caught on in most American homes. Like much of what Queen Victoria did, it became an instant sensation.
Trees were adorned with homemade ornaments, apples, stringed popcorn and berries, and lit candles. Starting in Germany, wealthy families even hung strings of silver that would flicker in the candlelight. By the early 1900s, tinsel became a popular, reusable and much more affordable Christmas tree decoration made of aluminum and copper. Demand for copper during World War I stopped tinsel production, but the invention of aluminized paper tinsel brought the decoration back into vogue in the 1950s. Lead tinsel replaced the highly flammable paper tinsel, but in 1972, the dangers of lead exposure brought an end to its production.
To see a Victorian home lavishly decorated for Christmas, stop by the Bernhard Museum in Auburn during the holiday season or visit the museum’s free annual “S’mores & Stories” event on Dec. 12, from 5-8 p.m.!
Photo: Gaffett home decorated for Christmas in Clipper Gap. 1911; Placer County Museums collection
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
Area 4 Agency on Aging Advisory Council
Building Board of Appeals
Colfax Cemetery District
Economic Development Board
Fish & Game Commission
Gold Run Cemetery Committee
Greater Lincoln Area Fire Safe Council
Housing Development Advisory Taskforce
In Home Support Services Advisory Committee
Juvenile Justice / Delinquency Prevention
Granite Bay Municipal Advisory Council
Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council
Historical Advisory Board
Horseshoe Bar-Penryn Municipal Advisory Council
Donner Summit Municipal Advisory Council
Central Municipal Advisory Council
Newcastle Ophir Municipal Advisory Council
North Auburn/Ophir Fire Safe Council
Placer County Child Care Advisory Council
Placer County Older Adult Advisory Commission
Solid Waste Local Task Force
Tahoe Basin Design Review Committee (DRC)
Veterans Advisory Council
Wastewater Advisory Committee
 Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Roseville: Downtown Roseville Ice Rink, Gingerbread House Contest, Artist 2 Artist December Drawing, 3rd Annual Winter Night Market, Roseville Historical Society Holiday Open House, Petty Theft band, Holiday Gingerbread House Factory
Rocklin: Breakfast with Santa
Lincoln: Breakfast with Santa
Auburn: Placer Theater Ballet presents “The Nutcracker,” Colla Voce Chamber Singers – Holiday Performance, A Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser’s Warning!, S’mores and stories at the Bernhard Museum, “It’s A Wonderful Life” Presented by State Theater Acting Company and Auburn State Theater, Auburn Country Christmas, Old Town Christmas at the Auburn Historic Courthouse, Holiday Bazaar & Ugly Sweater Party At Ponderosa Cider
Colfax: Colfax Winterfest 2025, Soroptimist Old Fashioned Soup Kitchen Fundraiser, All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast
North Lake Tahoe: Holly Jolly Strolls and a Visit with Santa, Merry & Bright Holiday Stroll, Santa Ski Day, Tahoe City Holiday Markets, Cocoa @ the Cabin, Community Garden Workshop Holiday Wreath Making, North Tahoe Chamber Power Lunch, Tahoe City Farmer’s Market
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
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