9 “American” Christmas Traditions That Aren’t American at All

Christmas tree lights are a German tradition that dates back to the 17th century.

While Thomas Edison was the inventor of Christmas lights connected on strands, the tradition of illuminating Christmas trees comes from Germany, where it was being practiced as early as the 17th century, according to the Library of Congress.

However, the lights back then were a lot less safe than the LED ones we string today—at the time, celebrants would simply attach candles to their tree and light them.