Christmas lights and Christmas cards
Although we love Christmas trees, especially ones grown in West Cornwall, at Ladydowns – we also have a great passion for all things festive.
Christmas is one of those times of the year when everyone gets together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company – whether by a Penzance Christmas tree or not!
Thomas Edison’s assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass-produced in 1890.
The first commercial Christmas cards were commissioned by civil servant Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843. Featuring a family drinking wine, one sold for £8,469 in 2014.
Holly and Ivy have been used to decorate homes since the 9th century because they symbolise everlasting life. The holly represents Christ’s crown of thorns and the berries his blood.