Five pieces of the collection are arrangements of Christmas carols of various origins. The remaining character pieces were written using themes by the composer himself. Liszt dedicated Weihnachtsbaum to his eldest grandchild Daniela von Bülow, whose correspondence with Liszt suggests an especially close relationship. The ceremonial first performance took place at Christmas of the same year: Daniela visited her grandfather in Rome, who played the gift he had intended for her.

This revised (2020) edition adopts the score and the critical report of the New Liszt Edition (amending it, if necessary). In addition, it includes a preface in German and English, that explores the genesis of the work on the basis of current research, and orients the reader in issues of notation.

This publication is printed on high quality, durable paper made from renewable raw materials in an environmentally friendly way.