| ody"> | | | | Germany. Many glassblowers fled to West |
| In A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first | | | | Germany and the industry declined. Around this |
| mentions December 25 as the date of Jesus' | | | | time, Japan and Czechoslovakia began producing |
| birth. This date was likely influenced by the | | | | ornaments for the North American market |
| year-end pagan festivals to celebrate the harvest. | | | | In the 1960's, glass ornaments went out of |
| Celebrations included specially prepared meals, | | | | fashion when the aluminum tree adorned with |
| decorating of homes, gift-giving and singing. | | | | ornaments of similar shape and color became the |
| Gradually, pagan traditions became a part of the | | | | rage. Many traditional ornaments were thrown |
| Christian celebrations. Most Christmas traditions | | | | away during this period. |
| such as the Christmas tree and ornaments came | | | | What to Look for in Antique Ornaments |
| from central Europe. The earliest German | | | | If you're lucky enough to still have any vintage |
| Christmas trees were decorated with food; | | | | ornaments, hang on to them. |
| apples, onions, pears, nuts, candies, and fruits | | | | How to tell vintage versus new. Earlier ornaments |
| were placed on a tree. | | | | were smaller than today's modern ornaments. |
| In the 1800s, glass ornaments were first made in | | | | They were usually done in soft colors with hand |
| the Lauscha, Germany. This cottage industry | | | | painted details. You'll notice that the paint may be |
| involved the entire family. Generally, men did the | | | | faded or distressed in areas on vintage |
| glassblowing, women did the silvering and the | | | | ornaments. |
| children helped to paint and finish them. These | | | | Hand blown versus machine made. Remove the |
| beautiful new glass ornaments began to replace | | | | stem from the base of the ornament. Ornaments |
| edible decorations. | | | | that are hand blown will have an uneven base |
| In Victorian times, Queen Victoria's husband, | | | | because the glass blower cannot make a clean |
| Prince Albert, a German, brought the tradition | | | | break. Modern machine made ornaments will have |
| from Germany to his new home in England. Soon | | | | a smooth even base. |
| all of England was in on it. | | | | Where to find vintage ornaments. Ebay, flea |
| In the 1840s, Europeans immigrating to North | | | | markets, church sales and garage sales are all |
| America brought with them their Christmas | | | | good hunting grounds for vintage ornaments. |
| traditions. Prior to that time, Christmas was not | | | | Prices |
| widely celebrated in North America. As society | | | | Prices can vary from $2 - $200 depending on the |
| became more prosperous, ornaments became | | | | ornament and where you buy it. |
| larger in size and the colors become more vibrant | | | | Symbolism |
| to reflect the new wealth. | | | | Fruit and vegetable shapes symbolize the harvest. |
| F.W. Woolworth was the first North American | | | | Birds represent the biblical messengers that bring |
| retailer to sell glass ornaments. The story goes | | | | God's love and peace to the world. Birds were |
| that he was not too sure about this new product | | | | also symbolic of good luck and good fortune. |
| line. However, Woolworth changed his mind by | | | | Pickle shapes signify luck. |
| 1890 when he was selling $25 million worth of | | | | Fish shape is an early Christian symbol for Christ. |
| ornaments in his five-and-dime stores. | | | | Reflectors ornaments (ornaments with geometric |
| Until 1925, virtually all hand blown glass ornaments | | | | concave indentations) during Victorian times, were |
| were manufactured in Lauscha, Germany. By | | | | often called witches eyes and were placed on the |
| 1935, more then 250 million Christmas ornaments | | | | Christmas tree to fend off any evil spirits. |
| were being imported to the United States. After | | | | Star shapes represent the Star of Bethlehem. |
| WWII, the Lauscha area became a part of East | | | | |