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A tree-topper or treetopper is a decorative ornament placed on the top (or "crown") of a Christmas tree. Tree-toppers can take any form, but the most common shape is that of a star (a "Christmas star"); tree-toppers shaped as angels (a "Christmas angel") or finials (a "Christmas finial") are also very common. Other less common tree-toppers include paper rosettes, ribbon bows, Father Christmases or Santa Clauses, Christian crosses, Christmas owls, and sunbursts. Tree-toppers may be made of blown glass, metal, or plastic, among other materials. Plastic tree-toppers are often electric and once connected with the tree's lights glow from within. Following World War II, various symbols of Christmastide, such as Santa Claus, were introduced as electrified tree-toppers. Hans Christian Andersen's short story of "The Fir-Tree" describes the decoration of a Danish Christmas tree, including its topper, thus: ==Origin and use== Use of a Christmas angel as a tree-topper represents the angel Gabriel from the Nativity of Jesus: Use of a star represents the Star of Bethlehem: The use of the angel tree-topper goes back to the Victorian era, corresponding to the rise in popularity of Christmas trees in England. ''The Illustrated London News'' published a picture of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their family around a Christmas tree topped with an angel, and by its influence the Christmas angel became the most common tree-topper.〔(History of Christmas Trees at Christmas Archives )〕 During the 1870s, in conjunction with the growing power of the British Empire, the Union Jack had become the most popular tree-topper.〔(History of Tree-toppers )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Tree-topper」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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