People Ornaments

Some ornaments decorate the tree with shapes and colors. Others introduce someone. People and character ornaments turn Christmas branches into a wonderfully eclectic gathering of famous faces, dancers, musicians, royalty, storybook personalities, fantasy figures and people from everyday life.

Cody Foster brings an especially playful pop culture personality to the collection, transforming musicians, actors, fashion icons, historical figures and other recognizable personalities into colorful glass ornaments. These pieces can become tiny snapshots of a particular moment in popular culture, making the tree as much a reflection of someone's interests as a traditional Christmas display.

Other parts of the collection tell completely different stories. Ballerinas appear in tulle, feathers, sequins and glitter, with characters inspired by The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and other familiar ballets. Mermaids bring a bit of fantasy to the branches, while astronauts, angels, elves and occupational figures allow collectors to celebrate interests, accomplishments and favorite stories. Glass remains important throughout the assortment, but resin, fabric, feathers, beads, rhinestones and other materials give many of the figures their costumes and personality.

These ornaments are especially fun to mix rather than match. A favorite musician can hang beside a ballerina, an astronaut, a literary character and someone who simply makes you laugh. Build a tree around music, dance, pop culture or professions, or add individual characters to the family tree as interests change over the years. Eventually the branches begin to resemble the world's strangest Christmas party, which is part of their charm.

Why Shop People & Character Ornaments at Traditions?

People ornaments can be remarkably specific, and that is exactly what makes them fun. Finding an ornament of someone's favorite musician, fictional character, profession or lifelong interest feels less like choosing another Christmas decoration and more like saying, “I saw this and immediately thought of you.”

Serving collectors since 1994, Traditions is a family-owned holiday store with an extensive assortment of people and character ornaments from Cody Foster, Kurt Adler, Old World Christmas and other favorite makers. We personally inspect products as they arrive and photograph our pieces in-house so you can see faces, costumes, colors and decorative details clearly. Whether you're commemorating an interest, celebrating a favorite performer or assembling a tree with a cast unlike anyone else's, our knowledgeable customer service team is always happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of people and characters are included in this ornament collection?

The assortment includes celebrities, musicians, royalty, dancers, occupations, historical and cultural figures, storybook characters and fantasy personalities such as mermaids. Because the category covers both real and imaginative figures, it offers plenty of opportunities to find an ornament connected to someone's interests.

Do people ornaments make good personalized Christmas gifts?

They can make especially personal gifts when the figure has a meaningful connection to the recipient. A musician might recall a favorite concert, a ballerina can celebrate a dancer, and an occupational figure may recognize someone's career or accomplishment. Choosing the connection rather than simply the Christmas theme is what makes these ornaments memorable.

How can I build a themed tree with people and character ornaments?

Start with an interest that gives the collection some direction, such as music, ballet, movies, literature or professions. Mix different sizes and materials so the figures do not feel too uniform, then use simple glass balls, lights or garland to provide visual breathing room between the characters. You can also skip the theme entirely and let the tree become a collection of people and personalities that mean something to you.