Origin of the Christmas Tree

The idea of bringing evergreens into the home started long before Christmas was even a holiday and Catholicism was even a religion. The Egyptians used the the plants to symbolize life's triumph over death. Later, the Romans would use them to celebrate the winter solstice by decorating their houses with the greens and would exchange gifts. Other groups, such as the Druid priests in Great Britain, used evergreens during winter solstice rituals and even placed the branches above their doors to ward off evil spirits. All of these examples share the same basic principle as the Christmas tree, but obviously none actually are. So that begs the question, where did the first true Christmas tree come from?
A popular story that many credit for the beginning of the Christmas tree comes from the life of Matin Luther. The legend goes like this: "One crisp Christmas Eve, about the year 1500, he was walking through snow-covered woods and was struck by the beauty of a group of small evergreens. Their branches, dusted with snow, shimmered in the moonlight. When he got home, he set up a little fir tree indoors so he could share this story with his children. He decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honor of Christ's birth" (Christmas Tree Tradition has Ancient Origins).
While no one is exactly sure where the Christmas tree came from, it is obvious that it is prevolent in today's culture and a huge part of Christmas.

Sources:
http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/origin-of-the-christmas-tree-faq.htm
http://www.christmas-tree.com/where.html