Christmas Ornaments Guide

Do you find it a stress and strain getting organized for Christmas? I know that each year I have more to do and it seems less time to do it in! I hear all the good advice out there about starting early, being prepared, making lists, and although I don’t ever start early enough, and I have loads of lists.I never feel in control, but somehow it all comes together on the day so to speak.  I think the most important thing is to remember to have fun with it all.

My favorite part of getting ready for Christmas is decorating the house and yard. It’s such a fun part of the whole process. I love choosing a theme for the house and extending that into the garden. This year I think I will be looking at Angels, So we will have angel ornaments throughout the house and angels suspended in the yard. There are many different kinds of angels Christmas ornaments available. There are metallic angels, country style angels, glass angel ornaments , hand painted angels, you can even get your children to make their own paper angels. That was always a good pastime near Christmas when I was little. I can add angels to napkin holders and scatter sequin angels on the table. Now I’m starting to warm up to this theme, I can have angel themed bonbons or Christmas crackers, with angel chocolates inside! Shall we buy Christmas toys to match our theme? Of course there would have to be a Christmas Angel on the top of the tree!

I have recently discovered wall quotes - where you have some words or a saying made up on a vinyl sheet and stick it on the wall. These can be used on walls, or cars anywhere that vinyl can attach to. It would be stylish to have a line from a Christmas carol made up and used as Christmas Décor for you entrance hall. It doesn’t have to be just words it can be wall art and it can be removed after Christmas. Great for adding to the Christmas feeling.

Remember that you can decorate anywhere and everywhere in the house at Christmas, involve the children they love to be a part of the festive occassion- give then a special job to do and let them get on with it.

What theme will you choose for your Christmas décor? I can think of others that would be fun, Santas, elves, snowmen, maybe a color theme, or all natural with holly. Be sure to have lots of fun choosing, preparing and decorating. So get your lists ready, plan, shop and remember that in the end it’s about being with family - and of course the Christmas presents under the tree!

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.