Vintage: it's a personal thing

Vintage ornaments are probably the most cherished of all Christmas decorations. These delicate and often sentimental pieces adorn our trees each year and silently tell the tale of Christmas's tradition and magic. But have you ever wondered about the origins of these shiny, tree-trimming treasures?

The tradition of decorating trees during festive occasions dates back to ancient civilizations. The ancient Romans, for example, would hang small metal or clay ornaments on trees during "Saturnalia," a festival held in honor of Saturn.

The concept of the Christmas tree began to take shape in Europe during the Middle Ages. At this time, decorations were quite simple—people hung fruits, nuts, and red apples on evergreen trees to symbolize the Garden of Eden. It wasn't until the 19th century that significant changes began to occur.

The popularity of Christmas ornaments skyrocketed, in part, thanks to Queen Victoria. Her marriage to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, not Germany, in 1840 brought the traditions of Christmas trees and ornaments to England. The Illustrated London News depicted the royal couple standing beside a Christmas tree adorned with lovely glass ornaments, sparking a newfound interest in Christmas ornaments.

Through the years, Germany and Christmas have become synonymous with one another - you can't think of one without the other, and for good reason: it holds a vital place in the history of vintage Christmas ornaments. In the 1800s, it was common for German families to decorate their Christmas trees with simple items, such as candles, wafers, and handmade paper ornaments. That was until the practice of creating delicate glass ornaments emerged.

A small town in Germany, called Lauscha, became renowned for its glassblowing and glassworks. Artists began producing glass ornaments shaped like fruits, nuts, and other traditional Christmas symbols. They were painstakingly hand-painted, so each one was unique. The popularity of these beautiful ornaments quickly spread throughout Europe and the United States.

In the late 19th century, however, Germany faced economic challenges that affected its export of ornaments. These challenges enabled American glass factories to step in and fill the market gap. Companies like F.W. Woolworth Co. began importing German ornaments and eventually started producing their own American-made baubles. Their popularity grew, quickly making them a staple in the typical American household.

Christians sometimes celebrate the birth of Jesus by decorating a Chrismon Tree. Chrismon means "Christ" and "monogram." A Chrismon symbolizes Christ, a tradition dating back to the earliest Christians. These white and gold ornaments represent Jesus Christ as the King of Kings. Symbols placed on the Chrismon Tree are usually angels, crosses, doves, a lamb, wheat, a crown, a fish, a rose, or a triangle, just to name a few.

The tradition of collecting Christmas ornaments, regardless of their representation, continues to thrive today. Collectors and enthusiasts acquire ornaments representing significant events or milestones in their lives or places they've traveled and place them on the tree, year after year. They peruse antique stores, online auctions, and specialty Christmas markets, hoping to find a particular ornament just as they remember it from childhood. But often, the most treasured ornaments are handmade by family members; when they are gone, they become priceless.

Ornaments connect us to our past, our memories. Each trinket holds a special place in our hearts, reminding us of the joy and wonder of Christmases throughout our lifetime. Each ornament is a symbol and represents a snippet of your life.

When we hang an ornament on the tree, we honor the meaning of life.