Christmas Ornaments Guide

Do you have a picture in your mind of your Christmas tree and what you will put on it? There are many kinds of Christmas tree decorations that we put on our tree every year without fail, such as tree lights, tinsel and out favorite Christmas ornaments. But have you ever thought about the variety of Christmas tree ornaments out there? This list will include most of the common ones such as Santas, snowflakes, balls, and some of the not so common ones like cats and chickens! Here goes..!

Christmas Baubles

The most common Christmas decoration around, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that everyone who has a Christmas box has at least one of these. They have been around for many years and unlike other early ornaments are not edible so could be kept from year to year. Today the basic Christmas ball can be found in glass or plastic, can be colored just about any color or combination of colors, can be filled with anything such as tinsel, glitter or candy. It is such a versatile ornament that it will be around for many more years.

Tinsel

We use tinsel on the tree because it sparkles and we are drawn to glittery things especially when light is added, which is exactly why tinsel was invented. the Germans used real silver shredded, but it tarnished and eventually artificial tinsel was produced. Apparently tinsel has been around since the early 1600s. Today tinsel is available in a huge assortment of colors, thicknesses and variants of straight tinsel or tinsel with extra bits sticking out.

Angels

Santa CHristmas decoration

Angels have been associated with Christmas since the Bible mentioned the Archangel Gabriel. The idea of angels watching over us appeals to lots of people. Over the years the style of angel has changed from the traditional religious depiction to just about anything that has wings and a dress. There are cute little angels that appeal to children, glass or china angels that are more simply stylised and appeal to adults, and just about any kind in between. Angels can be homemade Christmas ornaments very easily and in degrees of complexity. Most of us will have an angel somewhere in the box.

Santa

Santa is such a huge part of Christmas for children and has been around in his many incarnations for a very long time. St Nicholas was first mentioned in the 4th century, and through word of mouth has become Santa. The myth of Santa and where he lives was perpetrated as parents and businesses strove to answer children’s questions. There is a thriving business in Lapland was Santa currently lives! The popular image of Santa in a red coat with white fur was popularised in America and Canada in the early 19th century by a political cartoonist. But now all children believe that Santa wears red and white. We all have something of Santa in our house at Christmas time, even if it only the letter the children wrote.

Candy Canes

These were originally all white straight candy canes and have been around for nearly 400 years in Europe. At one point a candy maker decided to make them like shepherd crooks and gave them away at Christmas, this became a popular tradition. The traditional came to America by a German immigrant who decorated his tree with candy canes. No-one knows how or why the candy canes became red and white, but they did and have stayed that way since first introduced. Today we use candy canes on the tree and uses artificial candy cane as decorations for other parts of our houses and gardens.

Snowmen

No-one really knows how the snowman was invented, but snow was only really associated with Christmas in the early 19th century. But the  snowman is popular both to make and to have effigies of. Snowman Christmas decorations are commonly available both in cute  or cartoon forms of more serious poses. Snowmen are easy to make for children’s Christmas craft.

Snowflakes

Again only associated with Christmas relatively recently, but the complexity of the snowflake makes it an interesting ornament to have around and appropriate to put on the tree to help it look like it has snow on it. The snowflake can be made with glitter to help reflect the light, which also increases its appeal. Glass or crystal Christmas ornament snowflakes can also be found made by companies like Swarovski or Waterford.

Cats and Chickens

These types of Christmas decorations are for people who rebel against Christmas or those who are passionate about the pets or interests. The idea of having your Christmas tree ornaments themed around a favorite pet or cartoon character can make a display that stands out.

There are a variety of beaded Christmas ornaments about- from the simple beads threaded on ring tied with a bow to quite complex arrangements for snowflakes. I usually look for unusual or interesting ornaments to make; I like something that is out of the ordinary and requires some level of skill to make and that I will be pleased with when it is finished as it stands out from the crowd.

I discovered bead work this way. I was looking for a simple beaded angel to make for my girls. I found a number of different styles of making angels and along the way to finding what I was after I came across brickwork stitch for beading. I came across some patterns to make earrings, but realised that they could be adapted to be used for other ornaments. These beaded Christmas charms are just sewn together using a needle and thread (OK a long needle and strong thread!). The designs can be worked out on squared paper and made up using different colored beads to make the finished item. The hardest thing was learning how to sew beads using brickwork stitch. But once you get into a rhythm that just flows.The best beads to use are Delica beads as they come in a consistent size and have an enormous range or colors and shade, metallic, silver and gold.

These beaded Christmas decorations can be used as gifts for earrings or for handmade bonbons or crackers. They can be added to key rings or bookmarks.They can also be added as a tassel to a bauble to hang on the tree. There are many different designs such as Santa, Mrs Santa, elf, trees, angels, snowmen, reindeer,and the principle can be extended to other themes. Beaded Christmas decorations can really add a unique and personal  facet to your Christmas theme.  Use them as covers for Christmas baubles with the color of the beads contrasting or toning with the color of the ball. They can be added to glass ornaments as an accent. Make beaded napkin holders for your Christmas table napkins, or wine bottle covers.

BeadCover by Prized Possessions

Another type beaded Christmas ornaments is using glass beads to make up an ornament like an angel or a snowflake. In these kind wire is used to hold the beads in the design chosen, the beads can be plain or colored and the ornament can be hung on the tree. A variant of this type is the free standing ornament such as an angel where the beads are joined together to create a small figurine to sit on the table top.

Beaded Christmas ornaments add a variety to my Christmas tree ornaments and I get a sense of satisfaction form making them.

I have a story about one of my handmade Christmas ornaments - a temari ball. When my children were younger I used to go to a mothers group and one day they invited a lady to come and show us some craft. She introduced me to temari balls, although for a long time I had no idea what they were called! Temari balls are an old Japanese folk craft for making toys. The balls are usually 3-5inches but can be any size. The balls were probably made from old kimonos, but became an extravagant art form in terms of the richness of the designs and colors and the intricate nature of the sewing involved.  We started off using some felted wool to make the basic ball shape, but these days Styrofoam balls can be used, scraps of materials or even a bag filled with rice hulls or tissues. The next step is to choose a color scheme for your Christmas decoration I love blues and silvers, so mine was a lovely blue.

We need

Temari design

Basic ball either felted wool or Styrofoam ball

yarn any color will do as it will not be seen, 4 ply or thinner.

thread a reel in the color of your choice.

embroidery threads to suit your design.  Can be pearl cotton, silks, metallics or ribbons

long needles

long pins

scissor

paper to help with marking and dividing the ball

Tassels optional

Steps

1.Take the ball shape and wrap the yarn around it randomly so that the ball is evenly covered. You are looking to cover the ball with this step.

2.Take the thread (ordinary cotton sewing thread is ideal) and wrap this around the ball in a similar manner until all the yarn is covered. This gives you an interesting texture to base your embroidery on. About 300 yards of thread will be needed for this step.

3. The next step is to mark out the poles and equatorial regions on the ball. Most of the temari designs are geometrical. Depending upon your design you may need marking threads as well as pins. The marking threads can be in the same thread as the background (to be invisible) or can be in a contrasting color and form part of the design or can be a thread that will be removed at the finish. The divison are based on mathematical interpretations and will vary with the complexicity of the design. The best thing here is to choose a simple pattern and follow detailed instructions.

4. Sewing using long lengths of thread following the pattern.

There are many designs available so look out for books on the subject. For free patterns try TemariKari

Photo Courtesy WKlager