If you want to make your home the merriest of the block, you should invest in unique and premier quality Christmas ornaments. What makes these ornaments high quality? We’ve put together this thorough buyer’s guide to help you pick the finest Christmas ornaments this holiday season.
History of Christmas Ornaments
The custom of adorning trees or evergreen boughs for Christmas likely dates back to the ancient Romans and Egyptians. The "tree of paradise," adorned to symbolize the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden, was a common topic in early Medieval folk culture. Later on, Christians started using these triangle-shaped trees to represent the Holy Trinity and the rebirth that comes from remembering Christ's birth, death, and resurrection.
Pastry, cookies, and fruit were used to adorn the first European Christmas trees. Next came hand-blown glass decorations and their designs gradually came to represent Christian themes. Entrepreneur F.W. Woolworth had the brilliant idea in the 1880s to bring the first crystal Holiday decorations from Germany to the United States. His legendary five-and-dime store business couldn't have gotten off the ground without the success of this venture.
Those decorations from Woolworths' early days might have only cost a few cents each, but similar ornaments now cost hundreds of dollars. The most expensive Christmas ornament ever was created by a jeweler in the United Kingdom in 2013 that was worth $136,000 because of all the diamonds and rubies that adorned it.
Today's ornaments fill the holiday season with aesthetic value, and emotional gratification, and give a customized and unique touch to every Christmas tree.
Different Types of Christmas Ornaments
Ball ornaments
Manufacturers use metal, glass, or plastic to produce classic Christmas ball ornaments. It might be monotone or multi colors, painted by hand, or created of hand-blown glass. Some people think that their shape, which looks like an apple, resembles the original Christmas ornaments. Sets of ball ornaments may serve as the base for the Christmas tree, which you can then customize with other decorations.
Differently shaped ornaments
These decorations can be bell-shaped, teardrop-shaped, icicle-shaped, or snowflake-shaped; they are often made of glass, plastic, or lightweight metal and are sparkling, transparent, or multicolored. You can find ornaments picturing anything from snowmen and Santa Claus to animals, fruits, flowers, and even renowned landmarks cast in different materials.
DIY ornaments
Wooden ornaments, especially those that have been hand-painted, can give the tree a more natural look. Because wood is resistant to breakage if dropped accidentally or handled roughly, it makes for a forgiving ornament material. You can easily find wood slices that come pre-drilled, making them a convenient alternative for making your own ornaments.
Keepsake ornaments
Many families have a ritual of purchasing a new, unique ornament every year. These trinkets trigger distinct memories, particularly as children grow and get older. Every year, many brands release a new selection of keepsake Ornaments, some of which have become collector's items. Family keepsake decorations may be homemade, inspire memories of a memorable vacation, or be real splurges like Swarovski crystals.
How To Ensure Your Precious Ornament’s Safety
Go high
If you want to protect your fragile and precious ornaments from accidents, it’s better to place them near the top of the tree. If you have pets and kids at home, going as high on your tree as you can is a great idea to ensure your expensive ornaments are out of the reach of little hands and paws.
Snack attack
If you’re using edible items to decorate your Christmas tree, be sure to place them out of your pet’s reach. You might want to skip the edible decorations if your furry friend is a tree climber. You should also keep in mind that mistletoe is toxic to both kids and pets, and tinsel can pose a choking hazard.
Hands off
When getting your home ready for Christmas, you should teach your little ones the rule of “look but don’t touch” to ensure their safety. To add an extra layer of protection, you can also consider having a baby gate if you have toddlers around the house.
Sweep up
After you’re done decorating the tree, you should always check under the tree to look for broken or fallen ornaments. Sweep the broken pieces, leftovers, and debris, and get those ornaments that might have fallen down due to a bump.
Hang it up
If you want to get really creative with your Christmas decorations, you can try hanging your tree upside down. Although it’s an ancient trend, it's now followed to save space.
