Christmas trees are typically evergreens decorated with lights, tinsel and baubles.

However, before Christianity evergreens had a special meaning to people during the winter. This is because ancient people believed that hanging boughs of evergreen above the door (kind of like when we hang a wreath on the door), would protect them from witches, ghosts, evil spirits and illness. In addition to this, evergreen boughs reminded them of all the green plants that would eventually grow again when summer returns. Similarly the Egyptians filled their homes with green palm rushes which symbolized for them the triumph of life over death.