Every Ornament Tells a Story

There's something magical about decorating a Christmas tree. Whether it's a treasured ornament passed down through generations, a sparkling glass bauble or a playful little character, each decoration has a story to tell. But have you ever wondered where the tradition of hanging ornaments on Christmas trees began? Read below to find out!

From Apples to Ornaments

The tradition of decorating evergreen trees has roots in European winter celebrations, but the Christmas tree as we know it is closely associated with Germany. By the 16th century, families were decorating trees with apples, nuts, sweets and handmade ornaments, often using simple materials found around the home.
Apples were particularly meaningful, symbolizing the fruit of the Tree of Paradise in medieval Christian traditions. Over time, these edible decorations gave way to more elaborate creations, including paper flowers, candles and handcrafted wooden figures.

What began as a modest family tradition eventually blossomed into one of the most beloved customs of the Christmas season.

 

The Sparkling History of Glass Ornaments

During the 19th century, skilled glassblowers in Lauscha, Germany, began creating delicate glass ornaments inspired by the fruits and nuts traditionally hung on Christmas trees.
These early decorations were carefully hand-blown into shapes such as apples, pears and walnuts. As glassmaking techniques developed, artisans introduced shimmering silvered finishes, colourful designs and increasingly imaginative shapes.
Glass ornaments became especially popular in North America during the late 1800s, helping transform Christmas trees into the sparkling centrepieces we recognize today.
From classic round baubles to intricate figurines and reflective metallic finishes, glass ornaments continue to celebrate this centuries-old tradition.

 

Tiny Characters, Big Personalities

Not every Christmas ornament needs to sparkle to stand out! Over the years, ornaments have evolved to reflect personal interests, favourite animals, hobbies and a healthy sense of humour.

Woodland creatures, playful mice, cheerful dogs and whimsical characters bring personality to Christmas trees. Wool felt ornaments, in particular, offer a wonderful combination of soft texture, intricate craftsmanship and imaginative design.
From a mouse enjoying a mug of hot chocolate to a festive animal dressed for the holidays, these little characters can make a Christmas tree feel wonderfully personal.

They also make thoughtful keepsakes, celebrating special memories, shared interests and family traditions.

Decorating with Tradition and Personality

Today's Christmas decorating styles offer endless opportunities for creativity. Some prefer the nostalgic appeal of classic red and green ornaments, vintage-inspired Santas and traditional nutcrackers. Others gravitate toward sparkling metallics, woodland themes, playful novelty ornaments or soft, nature-inspired colours.

Mixing different styles, materials and textures can create a beautifully layered Christmas tree filled with visual interest.

Try combining shimmering glass baubles with soft wool felt characters, adding natural wooden accents or incorporating ornaments that reflect favourite hobbies and interests.

The result is a Christmas display that's as individual as the people who enjoy it.

 

Discover Christmas at Abbott

Our extensive collection of Christmas ornaments brings together everything from classic baubles to wool felt animals, woodland creatures and imaginative novelty designs. After all, every ornament tells a story. What will yours be this Christmas?

Explore our Christmas ornaments here