Today, the Christmas tree is the essential symbol of the festive season, rich in history and tradition. As early as the XVIᵉ century, it was adorned with apples, sweets and sometimes called a "sugar tree". Little by little, this custom spread from the aristocracy to bourgeois homes, and then became a tradition shared by everyone in the XIXᵉ century. In German-speaking countries, it is still common to put up and decorate the tree on 23 December or New Year's Eve morning. Traditional decorations include angels, bells, baubles and stars. Windringerl, little meringue wreaths, were one of these edible ornaments, adding a festive, gourmet touch. Today, they can be eaten as sweets or used to embellish the Christmas tree.