Christmas Ornaments

A Christmas tree becomes personal one ornament at a time. Some pieces are chosen simply because they are beautiful. Others mark a wedding, new baby, favorite vacation or beloved pet. Then there are the ornaments that make absolutely no attempt to be sentimental and earn a place on the tree because they look like a cheeseburger, cowboy boot, household appliance or something else that made you laugh. Put them all together and the tree becomes a wonderfully specific record of the people who decorated it.

That is part of what makes Christmas ornaments such satisfying collectibles. Traditional Santas, angels, snowmen, reindeer and nativity scenes can share the branches with animals, food and drinks, hobbies, occupations, travel memories, musical instruments, fairy tale characters and everyday objects. A tree does not have to follow a single theme. In fact, some of the most interesting trees grow slowly over many Christmases as new ornaments are added for new interests, experiences and people.

Materials and craftsmanship add another layer to collecting. Hand painted glass can bring brilliant color, glitter and dimensional detail to the tree, while paper mâché, wood, fabric, metal, resin and mixed media ornaments offer completely different textures and personalities. Traditional shapes and reflectors can recreate the feeling of Christmas trees from earlier generations, while novelty ornaments turn almost anything imaginable into something worthy of a branch.

For collectors who do prefer a theme, ornaments make it easy to build one as narrowly or broadly as you like. Cover a tree with Santas, create an entire woodland of animals, gather vintage-inspired reflectors and bells or commemorate family milestones with dated ornaments. Smaller collections can decorate tabletop trees, wreaths and garlands, while favorite individual ornaments can be displayed on stands where their details are easier to appreciate. There really is no wrong way to build an ornament collection, which may explain why finding room for just one more becomes a familiar Christmas problem.

Why Shop Christmas Ornaments at Traditions?

Ornaments have always been at the heart of what we do. We love the extraordinary variety, from traditional European glass and nostalgic Christmas designs to quirky novelty ornaments that celebrate hobbies, occupations, pets, foods, places and everyday life. We carefully choose pieces from artists and ornament makers with distinctive styles so collectors can find both familiar Christmas favorites and things they never expected to see hanging from a tree.

Serving collectors since 1994, Traditions is a family-owned holiday store with an extensive selection of Christmas ornaments from Old World Christmas, Kurt Adler, Cody Foster, Bethany Lowe Designs, RAZ Imports, Inge Glas of Germany and many other favorite artists and makers. We personally inspect products as they arrive and photograph our pieces in-house so you can see their colors, finishes and decorative details clearly. Whether you're searching for a meaningful gift, commemorating a special year or building a collection one ornament at a time, our knowledgeable customer service team is always happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a Christmas ornament collection?

Start with something meaningful to you rather than worrying about creating a perfectly coordinated tree. You might collect a favorite artist or maker, choose ornaments related to animals, travel, food or hobbies, or add one piece each year that represents something memorable. Over time, those individual choices can become a collection with a story that is entirely your own.

Can I mix glass ornaments with ornaments made from other materials?

Absolutely. Combining glass with wood, paper mâché, fabric, metal and other materials can give a Christmas tree more texture and visual interest. Distribute different finishes throughout the branches rather than grouping every material together, and consider the weight of each ornament when choosing where to hang it. Heavier pieces may need sturdier branches.

What makes a Christmas ornament a good gift?

Ornaments work especially well as gifts when the subject connects to the recipient. Consider hobbies, occupations, pets, favorite foods, travel destinations, family milestones or traditional Christmas themes they collect. Dated ornaments can commemorate a particular year, while baby, wedding and other milestone ornaments can mark important occasions that return to the tree every Christmas.