More News on Christmas Ornaments

German families adopted decorating a wooden pyramid with greenery and other objects in place of the Paradise tree; it has now become a custom. In Bavaria, they use the term Paradise instead of Christmas tree ornaments. In Latvia around 1510 a fir tree was decorated with roses which were associated with the Virgin Mary. In 1605 a tree in Strasbourg was brought in doors and decorated with paper roses, wafers, nuts, lighted candles, and sweets. Later on decorations included eggshells which were painted with designs, cookies, and candies. Select here to view our Christopher Radko Ornaments.

Up until the mid 1800’s trees were decorated with edibles such as cookies, chains of popcorn, raisins, nuts, and pretzels. In the top of the tree they hung a flag, angel or star. Toys, bells, garlands and paper decorations were introduced as decorations in the 19th Century.

Germany provided the world with the bulk of its ornament production. Nuremberg in Bavaria produced metal decorations for export. Unique ornaments such as butterflies, stars, miniature musical instruments and icicles of silver foil were also produced. Dresden and Leipzig Germany produced embossed paper or cardboard decorations known as Dresden and angel hair. From the Thuringian mountains and in Eastern Germany the creation of delicate blown glass ornaments began. Select here read about our Glass Christmas Ornaments.

The oddest German ornament is the glass pickle ornaments. The story behind the glass pickle ornament; the glass pickle ornament is the last one to be placed on the tree. It is carefully hidden among the other decorations. Then the children are allowed to view the decorated Christmas tree, they begin to search the tree to find the glass pickle ornament. The child that finds the pickle ornament receives an extra gift and is also first to begin unwrapping of the Christmas gifts. Solves the problem of who gets to go first and open their Christmas Gift. The pickle and other glass ornaments have become keepsakes and collectibles that are handed down through generations. Select here for more information on our Glass Christmas ornaments.

See also Christmas Tree Decoration and pages related to Christmas Gift Ideas.

Back Next