A Brief History of Christmas Ornaments: From Ancient Times to Modern Traditions

Around the world, Christmas traditions are mainly rooted in decorations, X-mas trees and Christmas ornaments. The history of Christmas ornaments highlights the continuous spirit of the holiday season from ancient times to modern-day customs. Glass ornaments were a product from Europe. The cottage industry promoted Christmas decorations, trees and ornaments. Post the World War, the European supplies of such products were reduced, improving the popularity of the USA-designed Christmas ornaments. The demand for vintage to modern decor items is on the rise. The designers now bring unconventional designs, ideas and means for creating such an impressive collection.

Although wreaths and garlands made from evergreens are in high demand, the Christmas decorations minus these glass ornaments remain incomplete. The Hebrews, Romans, Greeks, etc., preferred holly, rosemary, mistletoe, etc., to decorate their trees, yet such beautiful ornaments made these products an impressive collection. The early Europeans also loved to choose live trees minus decorations, yet the trend lasted until 1521. Such trees became widely available in the later 18 century and were decorated using candies, fruits, nuts, toys, etc. Similarly, Christmas Ornaments, Jesus figures, etc., became popular. For this, Prince Albert (consort of Queen Victoria) is given the credit. It is believed that he imported his native Christmas decorations, etc., in 1841. Also, Xmas Decoration Ornaments are believed to be taken from German immigrants who carried the heritage and Christmas tree traditions to America. As a result, products like candies, miniature candles, figs, gold-plated decorations, metal clips, etc., became popular Christmas decorations.

Ancient Origins

The practice of decorating homes for winter festivities existed before Christianity. Ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, hung ornamental items like wreaths, garlands, and evergreen branches to represent rebirth and life during the winter solstice celebrations. These early ornaments were the forerunners of the decorations we know today and served to commemorate the passage from darkness to light.

Mediaeval and Renaissance Periods:

Christmas decoration ornaments started to include religious meanings throughout the mediaeval era. Christians initially used apples in Europe to represent the Garden of Eden's Tree of Knowledge. Over time, apples evolved into elaborately crafted "paradise trees", with red apples as decorations, signifying the tree of life and Christ's atonement. By the Renaissance, biscuits and nuts replaced apples as the preferred edible ornaments, and the tree itself served as the centrepiece for elegant decorations.

18th and 19th Centuries:

Germany's 18th Century saw a rise in the popularity of the Christmas tree decorating custom. Candles and miniature decorations made of paper, wax, or fruit were hung on the tree's branches. German immigrants introduced this tradition to the US and Europe, where it emerged and developed significantly. In the 1840s, Kugels, the first Christmas ornaments, was created. Kugels, translated as "balls," are a variety of circular, glass objects between 1 and 18 inches. Families made the majority of kugels, with each member performing various tasks such as blowing, silvering, painting, and capping. The 19th Century saw the beginning of industrialisation, and artisans soon began creating beautiful glass ornaments, frequently in the form of fruits, animals, and religious symbols. These ornaments were precious and often handed down through families. Germany became the top producer of glass ornaments in the 19th century. These experts then came to America and brought their traditions. These increased the popularity of the products, and soon Japan jumped into the game and delivered high-quality pieces. However, Poland and Czechoslovakia joined in the favour. By 1935, the USA became the highest importer of these products.  

Soon brands like Corning Glass Works became popular in these areas. The brand also used special techniques and machines to make the task easy. Hence, they could manufacture around 2000 balls per minute. The mass-produced ornaments still use the same process.

For Further Reading : CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS - INDIANSHELF

The Influence of Queen Victoria:

Queen Victoria's marriage to German-born Prince Albert elevated German Christmas customs in British society. A published depiction of the royal family captured the public's imagination enjoying in front of a festive Christmas tree in 1848. The photograph helped spread the custom of using Christmas trees and decorations throughout the British Empire, eventually reaching America.

Innovations of the 20th Century:

As the Century ended, manufacturing and technological improvements changed how Christmas ornaments were made. An American businessman named F.W. Woolworth launched inexpensive mass-produced glass ornaments in the early 1900s, opening them to a larger market. People started to buy Christmas ornaments with detailed patterns, vivid colours, and metallic accents that shimmered. Candles were replaced by electric lights, which offered a safer method of lighting the tree.

Modern Trends:

Christmas decoration ornaments today represent a variety of creative and cultural influences. Traditional symbols like angels, stars, and nativity scenes are still widely used, but new materials and design ideas have also been developed. The demand for ornaments from recycled materials, natural elements, and technological components has increased. Personalized ornaments having names, dates, or pictures of loved ones have developed into treasured keepsakes, and themed sets enable reliable and organised decorating.

Read More - CHRISTMAS: A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION AND DECORATION USING CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Various Christmas Ornaments in the late 19th Century

Scrap Ornaments

One of the more affordable ornaments, scrap ornaments, were typically made from cardboard, a cut-out Lithographic image (a vibrant printing method popular at the time, depicted right and above), and other holiday decorations like tinsel and leftover fabric. Ideas could be cut out of anything they had, although they were occasionally printed into periodicals for this purpose.

Decorative Glass

The garlands often included tiny beads of blown glass in various sizes, hues, and designs. Small coloured balls and larger glass beads shaped to resemble popcorn are used to create the strand shown to the right, which is meant to resemble popcorn strands, another typical tree decoration.

Silvered ornaments

Most people generally picture silvered ornaments when they think of Christmas ornaments. A glass ornament is blown to create these ornaments, and the interior is swirled with a mercury, lead, zinc, or silver solution. As a result, they have a glossy, reflective surface. Then, they could be painted or re-coated in a colourful solution to add more decoration.

Tinsel Ornament

Tinsel wire ornaments were another type of ornament. The tinsel wire was utilized in ornaments starting in the 1870s. However, it wouldn't become a standard Christmas tree decoration until the 1920s. The tinsel wire was another method used by Victorians to add more sparkle to the tree, along with decorations, lithographic prints, and other materials.

Sculpted decorations

The moulded ornament was another often-used ornamental design. The glass was often blown into a hand-carved mould to create these. A highly well-liked method was using birds, such as the one on the right. The painted, spun glass (also known as angel hair) and brass clip used to attach the blown bird to the tree was added after it had been painted. Other common forms during this period were different fruits and nuts inspired by the other widely used tree ornaments of the day.

Reflector decorations

A tool silvered and pierced round, blown-glass "Reflector Ornaments". Due to how the silvered indent reflected light, these ornaments were widely worn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Read More - DIY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

Christmas Ornaments in Mid 20th Century

The 20th Century saw the emergence of popular culture, which started to impact the designs of X-mas ornaments. As popular symbols like Santa Claus, Disney characters, and superheroes began to emerge on decorations, characters from literature, film, and television, people could demonstrate their affection for these famous figures. Handcrafted ornaments became more popular, showing a desire for customisation and unique art pieces. As the markets worldwide saw a rush to Buy Christmas ornaments, the demand for new versions of the tree ornaments rose. As a result, families bought unique custom versions that became a part of their traditions. The glass ornaments replaced the sweets and other decorations.

The family members blew the glass tubes and heated them over Bunsen burners to make glass ornaments. Similarly, the family members applied a silver nitrate solution to the decorations to make them shine bright.

Similarly, boards with nails were used to hang these decorations. These were then dried over the night. Each ornament was then dipped into a bright colour lacquer solution. This was then painted with ribbon, fancy attachments, feathers, etc.

Typical Christmas decorations are ave shapes like ovals and balls. However, the technique of designing special moulds, fancy shapes, etc., became popular. Unique-designed bells, delicate vases, birds, etc., became quite popular.

The Shiny Brights briefly produced ornaments with cardboard caps instead of metal due to bans on the non-essential use of metals, metal shortages brought on by the war, and a ban on German imports.

Read More - WAYS TO ELEVATE CHRISTMAS INTERIOR DESIGN

Countrywise evolution of Christmas Ornaments

The ornaments vary significantly worldwide, reflecting diverse cultures, traditions, and artistic styles. Here are some examples of Christmas ornaments from different countries-

Germany- Germany is known for its rich Christmas ornament tradition. They introduced the concept of decorating Christmas trees with ornaments. German ornaments often feature delicate glass-blown designs, such as intricate snowflakes, angels, nutcrackers, and wooden figurines.

Mexico- In Mexico, vibrant red flowers made from fabric or other materials symbolise the holiday season. Mexican ornaments may include colourful clay figurines, like nativity scenes and piñatas.

Sweden- Swedish Christmas ornaments often have a traditional and rustic design. One popular ornament is the small gnome-like figure wearing a red cap. These ornaments are usually made from wood or felt and are believed to bring good luck and protect the home.

Poland- Polish Christmas ornaments are known for their intricate hand-painted designs. One famous ornament is the "szopka," a miniature model of a nativity scene made from coloured paper, often decorated with glitter and ribbons. 

Japan- Christmas is not a traditional holiday in Japan, but it has gained popularity in recent years. Japanese ornaments often have a cute and minimalist style, featuring characters like anime characters, etc. It may also have traditional Japanese motifs like lucky cats or origami cranes.

Read More - 7 CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THAT CAN BE MADE WITH KIDS