Show Me Christmas

The pig is honored as a traditional Victorian holiday symbol representing good health, prosperity and happiness. The peppermint (pink) pig originated in Saratoga, New York.

Originally cast in hard candy similar to a festive pink candy cane, it came to represent even more. It stood for old-fashioned Yuletide, a wondrful time to share memories through the gathering of friends and relatives.

A hand blown glass ornament in the shape of Wilbur the Pink Pig is a wonderful addition to your Christmas tree for this holiday season!

Amongst glass ornaments, there are several different themes.  These can include etched glass ornaments, stained glass ornaments, and hand blown glass ornaments.  Each has its own unique style, and amongst these themes are specialty ornaments portraying different people, places, animals, or sometimes just artistic designs.  For younger children there are glass ornaments crafted in the images of dragons, angels, and fairytale creatures.  There are ornaments crafted to model specific professions; teachers, construction workers, mailmen, there’s something for almost everyone. 

A unique glass Christmas ornament is a treasure to bring out once a year or keep out year round.  However if you do intend to store yours, ensure its well padded and wrapped so it doesn’t break!

The glass ornaments that adorn our Christmas trees today have been adopted into our culture over time, but were originally conceived in Germany.  Shaped like fruits, nuts, and simple balls, the glass Christmas ornament can be traced to a man named Hans Greiner.  In 1847, in a German town called Lauscha famous for its glassworks, Greiner began producing glass ornaments.  These glass Christmas ornaments were called Glasschmuck in German, and Greiner first crafted them in the shapes of fruits and nuts.  The ornaments were a hit, and were soon being distributed all over Europe as Lauscha and Greiner grew more famous. 

Today glass Christmas ornaments are manufactured in China, Mexico, and the US, but all drew their original inspiration from the German glassworker.

The Christmas tree part of the traditional Christmas celebration in the United States originated in Germany—most of us have sung “O Tannenbaum” at one time or another.  There are other Christmas standbys that come from German Europe as well—the blown glass ornaments, for one, and the tinsel for another—not to mention the nutcrackers!

No matter where the glass balls that decorate much of your tree may have been made, the originals came from Germany.  In the late 16th century, the small German town of Lauscha became renowned for its glassblowing.  Glassmaking had been a part of the town as early as the 12th century.   Lauscha would also produce drinking glasses, flasks, bowls, beads, and even glass eyes.

Legend has it that the reflection from reflex or reflection ornaments will ward off evil spirits.   This brings good luck to the Christmas season.  So for good luck this Christmas season, be sure to add one to your tree!!  

These beautiful, handblown glass ornaments are a great addition to any Christmas tree.  Start with a few for good luck or do the whole tree!!

Let it snow!!  Let it snow!!  Let it snow!! 

Snowman ornaments in all shapes and sizes for your tree will bring back childhood memories of the first snow, building a snowman and coming into the warmth of your home for a cup of hot chocolate!!

The tradition of building a snowman goes back for centuries as a family activity full of laughter and fun.  Each creation is limited only by the imagination of the builder.

All of these hand blown glass ornaments will add to those memories.

Give the bride and groom this delicate hand blown glass ornament as a remembrance of that perfect day.   

It can be tied in with the ribbon on a wedding present or given separately.  Either way it will be the perfect beginning of their own tradition of collecting Christmas ornaments each year.

Another special ornament for the newly weds is ‘Our First Christmas Together’.  Happy Giving!!

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!!