The History of Christmas Ornaments
History of Ornaments In A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first mentions December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth. This date was likely influenced by the year-end pagan festivals to celebrate the harvest. Celebrations included specially prepared meals, decorating of homes, gift-giving and singing. Gradually, pagan traditions became a part of the Christian celebrations. Most Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree and ornaments came from central Europe. The earliest German Christmas trees were decorated with food; apples, onions, pears, nuts, candies, and fruits were placed on a tree. In the 1800s, glass ornaments were first made in the Lauscha, Germany. This cottage industry involved the entire family. Generally, men did the glassblowing, women did the silvering and the children helped to paint and finish them. These beautiful new glass ornaments began to replace edible decorations. In Victorian times, Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, a German, brought the tradition from Germany to his new home in England. Soon all of England was in on it. In the 1840s, Europeans immigrating to North America brought with them their Christmas traditions. Prior to that time, Christmas was not widely celebrated in North America. As society became more prosperous, ornaments became larger in size and the colors become more vibrant to reflect the new wealth. F.W. Woolworth was the first North American retailer to sell glass ornaments. The story goes that he was not too sure about this new product line. However, Woolworth changed his mind by 1890 when he was selling $25 million worth of ornaments in his five-and-dime stores. Until 1925, virtually all hand blown glass ornaments were manufactured in Lauscha, Germany. By 1935, more then 250 million Christmas ornaments were being imported to the United States. After WWII, the Lauscha area became a part of East Germany. Many glassblowers fled to West Germany and the industry declined. Around this time, Japan and Czechoslovakia began producing ornaments for the North American market In the 1960's, glass ornaments went out of fashion when the aluminum tree adorned with ornaments of similar shape and color became the rage. Many traditional ornaments were thrown away during this period. What to Look for in Antique Ornaments If you're lucky enough to still have any vintage ornaments, hang on to them. How to tell vintage versus new. Earlier ornaments were smaller than today's modern ornaments. They were usually done in soft colors with hand painted details. You'll notice that the paint may be faded or distressed in areas on vintage ornaments. Hand blown versus machine made. Remove the stem from the base of the ornament. Ornaments that are hand blown will have an uneven base because the glass blower cannot make a clean break. Modern machine made ornaments will have a smooth even base. Where to find vintage ornaments. Ebay, flea markets, church sales and garage sales are all good hunting grounds for vintage ornaments. Prices Prices can vary from $2 - $200 depending on the ornament and where you buy it. Symbolism Fruit and vegetable shapes symbolize the harvest. Birds represent the biblical messengers that bring God's love and peace to the world. Birds were also symbolic of good luck and good fortune. Pickle shapes signify luck. Fish shape is an early Christian symbol for Christ. Reflectors ornaments (ornaments with geometric concave indentations) during Victorian times, were often called witches eyes and were placed on the Christmas tree to fend off any evil spirits. Star shapes represent the Star of Bethlehem. Martin Swinton owns Take-A-Boo Emporium located in Toronto, Canada. He has appeared on a variety of television programs; does furniture restoration; caning and rushing repairs; appraisals and has taught courses on antiques at the Learning Annex. Martin can be reached at http://www.takeaboo.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Tips to Save Time & Money; Christmas Shopping Online
So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a lot of time but we all know how quickly time passes to the holidays. It feels like you have plenty of time to get all the shopping, cleaning and organizing done before the holidays hit. But do you ever get it all done without stressing out?
5 Ways to Having the Happiest Valentines Day Ever (even if youre alone)
The thought of Valentine's Day conjures up romantic evenings, a candlelight dinner, and long walks with your loved one. It is, without a doubt the most romantic day of the year. So how could you possibly be expected to enjoy Valentine's Day when you're alone? Well, while it might not be all hearts and flowers, you can still spread the message of Valentine's Day: Love.
5 Things Your Christmas Table Should Not Be Without
Christmas dinner probably the most elaborate and complex dinners you will have to prepare all year. Chances are there will be many friends and family members attending so you will want to make sure everything is just right. In order to help you do this, I have compiled a list of 5 things which your Christmas dinner table should not be without. I can help you with the setting of your table, but the responsibility of actually cooking the dinner remains in your hands.
Youre How Old?!?
"Well, Happy Birthday! How old are you anyway?"
Kids Halloween Costumes! Your Pint-sized Witches And Goblins Can Look Their Spookiest & Cutest Ever
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on October 31st! It's the fact that they love getting dressed up and scaring everyone along the way! Kids look cute in any sort of costume, but now that you can purchase their costume online, you'll be able to find the best selection of kids Halloween costumes ever!
Losing Weight During The Holiday Season--Can It Be Done?
Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the
idea of LOSING WEIGHT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. Even
knowing the chances of finding success with this idea
was highly slim I was nevertheless still intrigued.
Memorial Day a way to Celebrate
Memorial Day is May 30th this year, are you ready? Are you in need of an idea for how to celebrate this time honored holiday with your family and friends? How about reading an expert from Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address". Sharing with those young hearts in your life the meaning behind this historical speech.
Keepsake Christmas Album
Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year as much as I do? This year I decided to try to come up with some way to preserve our Christmas cards, as well as find a way to organize all the Christmas letters I've been faithfully filing away for the past six years. I decided to make an album for our Christmas letters using decoupage to decorate the covers with this year's Christmas cards.
12 Things That Make Life Worthwhile!
Happy New Year! Around the world, this is a time of renewal, celebration of new opportunities, and great optimism. Please accept our best wishes for a year of peace, joy, and success.
Set the Mood- Halloween Decoration Ideas
When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a party or you are a room mother for your son's class at school, how should you decorate? Here are some Halloween decoration ideas to get you started.
Top Ten Tips To A Terrific Valentine?s Day - For Men in Relationships
Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get back in the good books, or if you are already there, to get some extra points. Women love to be courted, wooed, treated like princesses. And most of them like this to occur on Valentine's Day (as well as other days, but that's a Tip List for another time!). Beware, unless you have been told to ignore Valentine's Day (and only if you have in the past and it has worked), do NOT, under any circumstances, neglect to celebrate this occasion of love and romance. Her friends will all be asking her the next day what you did, and if she has to tell them "nothing", it cannot be good for you! Read these tips for some help:
Eggs-travagant Eggs
Wonderfully simple to do and oh so impressive!
Find Your Favorite Swashbuckling Pirate Costume!
"Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!" If you have seen the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, you'll remember this song! Now you're looking for a great pirate costume?well, you've come to the right place! Transform yourself into a famous swashbuckling pirate on Halloween night, and become the life of the party!
A Thankful Thanksgiving
You may be wondering why I would call this article a Thankful Thanksgiving. Aren't all Thanksgivings Thankful? Unfortunately, no. As a person who has experienced over 70 Thanksgivings, I recognize that being thankful is something that we have to work at, even on Thanksgiving.
Great Games for Your Halloween Party
If you're having a Halloween party you need to play some games! Whether it's to fill the time before the food is ready or to keep the kids occupied before their parents collect them, here are some ghoulish games to play.
Visions of Sugar Plums and Holiday Safety!
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!
A Resolution Worth Keeping
New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of them is usually optional. That's unfortunate, because some of the pledges we make in those moments before the calendar changes are wonderful things to aspire to - spending more time with our children, exercising regularly, stopping a bad habit like smoking - or considering chocolate one of the main food groups. Yet, this is the one time of the year that it's condoned - almost expected - that we don't follow through on our promises.
Top 15 Valentines Day Quotations
"If you love somebody, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."-- Anonymous
The Rose
Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art - the art of living. You can't buy style with money. You can't buy good taste with money. You can only buy more with money. Lifestyle is culture - the appreciation of good music, dance, art, sculpture, literature, plays and the art of living well. It's a taste for the fine, the unique, the beautiful.
Decorating for a Victorian Christmas
Berry Manor Inn owner, Cheryl Michaelsen wouldn't admit it, but with all the research she's done on Victorian tradition for the inn many consider her an expert, especially when it comes to celebrating a Victorian Christmas. Her Victorian-style inn offers the ideal backdrop to showcase venerated Victorian traditions throughout the year. However during the holidays the pomp and hospitality of this bygone era is resplendent in what Down East Magazine has referred to as "The WOW House". Visit Berry Manor Inn during Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine's Holiday House Tour held each year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, where among other ideas, you'll learn first hand all about many Victorian traditions of yesteryear. The Holiday House Tour is part of Rockland's Festival of Lights, and Historic Inns of Rockland will feature workshops including Gingerbread House Making, Victorian Customs for Christmas, and Package Wrapping Workshops, along with refreshments and tours of lovely historic inns during this event, held from 1pm to 4pm on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
|
