Show Me Christmas

I am always seaching for a meaningful gift for that person who means so much to me.  The person that is there for you through thick and thin.  A person that always listens to you through the good and the bad.  A longtime symbol of hospitality, a teapot ornament is an excellent gift to remind friends and family how we cherish conversations and time spent together.

Nothing says ‘friends forever’ like a gift of a teapot ornament.  A hand blown glass teapot ornament is the perfect sign of friendships and love during the holiday season.  Minature teapots make wonderful gifts and are also perfect for your Christmas tree.                                                      

Much of the fun of Christmas has been handed down from generation to generation through the legends and traditions of the old country.  One that I love is the legend of the glass Christmas pickle.  The tradition is that on Christmas Eve a glass pickle ornament is hidden among other Christmas ornaments on the Christmas tree.  On Christmas morning the first child to find the pickle receives an extra surprise.

This legend was even made into a special rhyme which goes like this:

“To start a tradition that surely will last. Here’s a short story about the pickle of glass. The night before Christmas it’s hung on the tree. While everyone’s sleeping it’s done secretly. And on Christmas morning when you arise. The first one to find it will get a surprise.”

So, for some extra fun this Christmas season be sure to purchase a hand blown glass pickle ornament.  Happy hunting!

Do you want to be known as the person who has that “extra touch”?  We all know a person who does.  Well, this year you can be the one with the “extra touch”.

Every gift exchange can be a handpainted glass ornament chosen to suit the occassion.  Each baby gift can have an ornament for baby’s first christmas.  Each wedding or shower gift can include an ornament to start the new bride with a collection of quality hand blown glass ornaments.

This year all your friends will be saying “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Merry Christmas and Happy Giving!!

Many special occasions or celebrations call for toasting with wine or champagne.  In addition to Christmas and New Year’s, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays and graduations, etc. all call for a toast.

These delightful hand blown glass ornaments will add a festive touch to any tree as a reminder of those good times.

Tie a champagne ornament in with the bow on your next wedding, anniversary, Christmas gift or bottle of wine for that perfect ‘extra touch’ .

Salute!!

Tree toppers have been around forever, but you might not have heard of the term finials.  Finials sound exotic, but it is just another name for tree toppers.  I suspect that many, including myself, started using the term finials as we found many of the following ways to use them to decorate.

Finials make a gorgeous display on a mantle!  You may use a finial stand, which may hold a single finial or a multiple stand which may hold three are more finials.  I love to use glass candle holders. Use a small piece of dowel rod the size of a candle (not too thick or your finial will not fit down over the rod) place one end of the rod in the candle holder and place the finial over the other.  That way you may have groupings of finials at each end of the mantle or throughout the greenery.

Finials also are beautiful in a table centerpiece.  I often use finials instead of candles.  Since the experts say not to use candles on a table unless you intend to light them,  I love the use of finials in my favorite crystal candlesticks.  It gives you the height of candles without the mess of candles.  To make your Christmas table unique try using finials this year.  You will find a wonderful assortment of finials at ShowMeChristmas.com  They have beautiful hand blown glass ornaments and finials.  It is a great website to find traditional as well as non-traditional colors and styles.

Of course, if you must you can still use a finial on the top of your tree, but I encourage you to try decorating with finials in other aspects of your Christmas decor.

 Happy decorating!!

Santas are my thing and I have been an avid collector for years.  I often do a Santa theme tree at Christmas.  After collecting Santas for years I have every shape and size.  In recent years I have been a lot more particular about the Santas I collect.  I have to be - my husband questions - How many tubs of Santa ornaments can one person have? Well, I just find that a silly question. Of course, there is always room for one more. 

 But as I have tried to be more selective, I find that my favorite ornaments are hand blown glass ornaments usually from Germany or Poland. I find these to be the best quality and I love the fact that they are mouth blown and hand painted. I put Santa ornaments into the two following categories: 

Traditional - for a Santa to be classified as tradional it has to be in typical Christmas colors of red, green, gold, white etc. I really love the old style Santas with Santa hat, beard, red suit and large bag. This category is probably my favorite with the addition of something unique like a pearl coat or a gold staff. Something that makes the ornament especially appealing and different. It amazes me what beautiful workmanship and hand painting is involved. Two of my personal favorites are  Santa with the Pearl Coat and Holly Santa from ShowMeChristmas.com. 

Non-traditional - for a Santa to be classified as non-traditional it may be any color and dressed in any way. These Santas are always fun with a beautiful array of colors and unique characteristics. These are often beautiful with gorgeous workmenship and lovely details. For non-traditional the more detail the better. I love the Celestial Santa or the Leopard Santa or even the Santa’s Steed all from ShowMeChristmas.com. 

Well, it’s time to start thinking about that time of the year. I always enjoy seeing what is new for the Christmas season.   Happy collecting!!