The Christmas season in 1944 was marked by war in the German Empire: the loss of territory on the Eastern and Western fronts increased steadily, the Allied forces destroyed German cities, industry and infrastructure, and the supply situation of the population deteriorated in the last months of 1944 more and more. The morale of the Germans was at a low point.
So that the mood did not decrease further at Christmas time, The NSDAP wanted ensure some normal during the festival – through Christmas trees.
Martin Bormann, head of NSDAP-Party law firm, emphasized in a circular at the beginning of December 1944 the “high symbolic meaning of the Christmas tree“ for the German people. Its absence would have “mood-related consequences“. Therefore, the supply of Christmas trees to the population should be made possible by “exhausting all local possibilities“.
The trees should be cut locally because the traffic situation did not allow Christmas trees to be transported by train. “Families with children should largely receive a tree”. Childless families and single people should at least be provided with branches of fir.