Show Me Christmas

Each year families all over the country delight in unpacking their precious Christmas decorations. And, there’s nothing worse than discovering one of your favorite ornaments is broken. Don’t let this sad scenario happen at your house. Take action now to make sure that this year your Christmas ornaments are safely packed to prevent breakage.

1. Wrap each ornament in tissue or newspaper.
2. Use gifts boxes to store the ornaments in.
3. Don’t cram the ornaments in a small box.
4. Don’t stack other boxes on your ornament storage boxes.

It the thought that counts, at least that’s what they say. So, when planning your Christmas decorating scheme this year don’t be afraid to include a few handcrafted ornaments. Most people don’t know that many common household items like Popsicle sticks, string, and tinfoil can be used to make ornaments.

Making your own ornaments is also a great way to save money. We’ve all felt the affects of the economy this year, and many people are wondering how they’re going to afford gifts this year. Making ornaments can save money that will be better spent on gifts.

When shopping for your baby’s first Christmas ornament, you should search for something with lasting appeal and representative of the magic and innocence of a newborn.  Common themes for babys first ornament include cherubs, teddy bears, manger scenes, and cribs.  It is also common to have the ornament engraved with the child’s name and the year of birth.  Though this is more difficult with glass ornaments, metal or ceramic ornaments should hold up to an engraving.

Whatever you choose to buy, make it special by giving it a place at the top of the tree where everyone can view it, and where it can hang in close proximity to your angel or star.

To preserve all your precious ornaments and ensure they don’t become broken or damaged, there are a few steps necessary to take.  First pack glass ornaments in a box separate from other ornaments.  Place the glass ornaments in their individual boxes or crates if applicable, and otherwise wrap them in tissue.  Fill the box with newspaper and tissue, ensuring the glass ornaments cannot move or rub against each other.  For other ornaments made of wood or metal, they can be placed in the same box, and wrapped in tissue should you see fit.  It is unlikely wood or metal ornaments will break unless they have small parts.  For garlands, silks, or plush items, these can all be placed in the same box with minimal separation. 

When storing Christmas ornaments, ensure the boxes are kept in a cool, dry place to avoid damage to the contents inside.  Basements are preferable to attics, as attics often heat up during summer months.

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!

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.

If you like to decorate theme Christmas trees with a varying theme from year to year, designer Abigail Pfeffer has created three product lines of handcrafted ornaments featuring beloved fictional characters–Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, and the perennial Christmas favorite, Nutcracker Suite.

These collections could be the delight of any child that has ever loved these stories, whether in play, book, or movie form.  They may also give you a little extra twinkle as well!

The Carousel Collection by American Designer, Abigail Pfeffer would make a beautiful addition to your ornament collection this year. 

Each piece is a multi- colored diamond designed carousel complete with a favorite animal.  The colors and detailed workmanship on each hand blown and hand painted glass ornament is quite exquisite.  These would make a wonderful gift or a great piece for your own collection. 

Christmas comes in small packages with delightful miniatures for smaller trees, wreaths or tied in with a ribbon for a special gift.

All are hand blown glass ornaments with great workmanship for your decorating pleasure. 

Choose from Mini Santa Train, Mini Cottage or many others for that special theme.

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.