Decorating the Christmas tree is an important and delightful part of the Christmas preparations with both children and adults enjoying adorning the tree in multiple colours. Iceland Post issued two fascinating Christmas 2019 stamps that feature homemade Icelandic Christmas trees, one from Hruni and the other from Laugardælir, both farms in the South of Iceland. The issue was designed by Tryggvi T. Tryggvason.
The first Christmas trees were imported to Iceland in the mid-19th century, mainly for use in the homes of Danish families. They were very expensive that is why the Islanders decided to produced the artificial ones. The Christmas tree from Hruni dates back to 1873 and is considered the oldest homemade Christmas tree in Iceland. It is one meter in height, made of timber and painted green. The Laugardælir Christmas tree dates back to the middle of the last century. It has a 63 cm stem which was turned on a lathe and has stylized branches intended for candles. The tree was found in the attic of the church of Laugardælir when it was being demolished.
