The Rockefeller Christmas Tree: From Homemade Decorations To A Swarovski Star

By | December 22, 2022

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The tree which was lit on December 1, 2022. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In the late 1920s, John D. Rockefeller Jr. conceived the idea to construct the Rockefeller Center to help revitalize Midtown Manhattan. The site was originally one of Columbia University’s former campuses (they had occupied the site in the early 19th century, and in the early 1900s, moved to Morningside Heights). In 1928, Rockefeller leased the site for 87 years. He eventually entered into a deal with RCA to create a mass-media complex and plans to construct all structures in the Art Deco style were developed. They started excavation in April 1931; construction began in September.

Workers Were Grateful

This was, of course, in the midst of the Great Depression and 64 percent of the building trade workers in New York City were unemployed. This particular project provided employment for an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people. These workers, grateful for the opportunity to work during the height of the Depression, pooled their money and purchased a 20-foot balsam fir to be the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. They decorated this first tree with streamers, ornaments made from tin cans, and handmade garlands.

The Next Tree Came In 1933

Two years later, in 1933, Rockefeller put up the next tree. The 50-foot tree was taller, and Rockefeller’s tree was not decorated with homemade ornaments. Instead, it was adorned with 700 twinkling lights. He also organized the first official tree lighting ceremony. 

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People on the skating rink beneath the tree in 1943. Source: (Library of Congress).

Opening the Skating Pond

It took some time for Rockefeller Center to establish itself once it opened; the sunken plaza was a particular challenge. Even though the annual Christmas tree was a draw, not many people were walking down the stairs into the sunken plaza with its year-round shops. The legend is that a skate salesman demonstrated his pitch on frozen water in the Rockefeller Plaza fountain. However, it is more likely that Rockefeller heard of a new method for creating ice, so he gave the green light to the new rink. By the 1936 Christmas season, the lighting ceremony included a skating pageant on the newly opened Rockefeller Outdoor Ice Skating Pond as it was originally called. This year there was an additional attraction as well: there were two trees in the Plaza.

Changing Decorations

During World War II, the tree was decked out in patriotic décor, including painted wooden stars, and red, white, and blue globes, and in 1942, they raised three smaller trees, each sporting one of the three colors. The tree was unlit from 1944 until 1945 because of blackout restrictions. The patriotic colors were once again used in 2001, following the September 11 attacks.