During the festive season we find most ornaments and decorations on the actual tree. Most ornaments and decorations are bought, but with some imagination and a few basic carft skills many more can be made. Shop bought ornaments and decorations are mostly made of china, glass, resin or wood.
When manufactures sell ornaments and decorations they are hoping that you will not stop there, by selling themed decorations they hope that you will go on to buy a whole range of matching accessories.
Christmas ornaments and decorations were originally put on the trees to mollify the gods. Now they are a tool are the marketing industry to sell more and more items each year. Prior to the arrival of Christianity, most ornaments and decorations were made from flowers, fruit other colourful items.
Familiar Ornaments And Decorations
For hundreds of years the Germanic countries have decorated their trees. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, popularized the pastime of decorating the tree during the mid part of the nineteenth century. During the 19th century ornaments and decorations usually consisted of hand carved Christian images, such as angels. Before the introduction and mass production of the now ever present blinking lights, our festive trees were adorned with a now rarely seen ornament – the tree candle, now shunted into ornament and decoration history as they do not comply with current health and safety requirements. These candles and fabulous carvings have been superseded by fairy lights and brightly coloured shining baubles; just as homemade biscuits and fruits have become sugared sweets and chocolates.
The Swedish still craft the traditional style ornaments and decorations, which are made primarily from wood, these are still the most common tree decorations in Scandinavia. The Swedish have built an industry around their ornaments and decorations, now exporting them throughout the world. There is also a growing industry in beautiful glass hand blown ornaments and decorations, these look very special as they shine and shimmer next to the lights and create a charming scene.
Just as there are traditional ornaments and decorations, there are traditional colours which are used on the decorations;these are silver, gold, green and red.
As people look for new and innovative ideas to impress the market has responded with personalized ornaments and decorations. However,the most foolproof way to have something totally unique is to have made it yourself. The making of ornaments and decorations is a great fun for the family and an activity which younger children will always remember fondly.
When To Put Up The Tree
In the USA it is traditional for the tree to be put up after Thanksgiving. However, every year seems to start a little bit earlier, all the shops seem to be in the mood from the beginning of December. In the interest of profits, shops are now stocking ornaments and decorations before the 1st December. Some still believe that the time to start preparing your tree is the first Sunday of Advent, but there are still families who do not decorate there tree until Eve.
Old and antique ornaments and decorations have become collectors’ items and are in much demand. This market is kept alive by people who are trying to recreate the perceived atmosphere of yesteryear. Which ever way you decorate your home and tree it is wonderful to personalize it in some way so that it will be something to remember that is pleasing to look at and right for creating the festive spirit.
Christmas ornaments and decorations have become symbolic in representing the coming of the festive season. Once you see the first decorations you know that the cheer is well underway.
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