Ornaments

Historians agree it was the Germans who first decorated trees during the Christmas holiday. 15^th century glassblowers created baubles to hang on the evergreens.

With the family tradition of decorating trees for Christmas, Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert brought the German tradition to England in the 18^th century. So it wasn’t long until America too decorated Christmas trees with hand blown glass and other ornaments.

By the 20^th century, five and dime stores stocked box sets of Christmas ball ornaments. More elaborate hand cast ornaments featured Santa, reindeer and icicles.

21^st Century ornaments include traditional Christmas motifs as well as cartoon characters and sports players. Quirky cultural additions such as a pineapple, a chili or a pickle have found their way onto many Christmas trees.