What country first used tinsel as a tree decoration?

Germany was the first country associated with using tinsel as a Christmas-tree decoration. Modern tinsel was invented in Nuremberg around 1610 and was originally made from thin strips of shredded silver, giving decorated trees a glittering, icicle-like appearance.

Early Christmas trees were decorated with items such as apples, nuts, sweets, paper flowers, wafers, and candles. Silver tinsel added reflected light, especially from candle flames, and helped make the tree appear brighter. Because real silver was expensive, the decoration was initially associated with households that could afford it.

The tradition later spread beyond German-speaking Europe as the Christmas tree became popular internationally during the 19th century. Tinsel is now usually made from plastic or other lightweight materials rather than silver. It is also worth separating tinsel from garlands: tinsel consists of narrow sparkling strands, while garlands may be thicker chains, ribbons, beads, or connected decorative pieces.