The Essential Guide To Christmas Ornaments

Decorating the Christmas tree with ornaments is a fun and enjoyable experience for many, even a time-honored tradition for some. Whether you’re just starting or simply looking to add new pieces to your collection, this guide will show you the different types of ornaments as well as a few holiday themes you can try this year.

Globe Ornaments

These are your standard Christmas balls, and they can be made of glass, metal, plastic, or acrylic. We recommend investing in these basic globe ornaments so that as your collection grows, you can mix and match them with themed sets for easy decorating.

Finials

These ornaments were inspired by decorative elements you see on roofs, gables, or domes of architectural buildings. Finials have long, tapered points on one end and are available in a range of sizes. Some finials have a round bulb, while others are more egg-shaped.

Angels

It’s believed that the tradition of putting angels on a Christmas tree comes from the Nativity story. The first angel ornaments were handmade from natural materials like straw and even edible ones like cookies. Today, angel baubles can be made from glass, plastic, or metal.

Egg Ornaments

These are reminiscent of Fabergé eggs that have become a symbol of opulence since they were manufactured by the House of Fabergé in the 1880s. Many egg ornaments are made of blown glass and feature intricate designs and details such as glitter and metallic accents.

Figurines

Figurine ornaments are considered novelty and come in a wide array of designs. Nutcrackers, Santa Clause, reindeer, and elves are just some of the classic figures you can find. These are great for classic Christmas decorating themes with a red and green color palette.

Snowflakes

Made from glass or iron, snowflake ornaments can add sparkle to any holiday decorating theme. These baubles are available in a variety of unique patterns and designs, just like real snowflakes. Use these for your winter wonderland or snowy forest theme to create an enchanting, magical look.

Icicles 

Like snowflake ornaments, icicles are perfect for a winter or frosted Christmas theme. They can be made from an assortment of materials including blown glass, plastic, or acrylic. Hang them on your tree along with silver or grey baubles for a monochromatic look.

Vintage Ornaments

Vintage Christmas ornaments refer to tree decorations from older generations. Some collectors specialize in finding rare, authentic vintage ornaments in specialty stores, flea markets, and garage sales. Commercially made pieces are usually replicas designed to look like they’re from the late ‘30 to the ‘50s.

Common Ornament Materials

From artisanal mouth-blown glass to fabrics such as felt and polyester, Christmas ornaments are made from a range of materials. Here are the most common ones:

Glass

Glass ornaments date back to the 18th century in Germany where Christmas trees and baubles originated. Artisans use a laborious process that entails heating a glass tube, inserting the end into a clay mold, and blowing the glass into the shape of the mold.

Mercury Glass

Also called silver glass, mercury glass is blown double-walled, then coated on the inside with a silvering solution, and then sealed with a plug. These are made from clear glass without any mercury or silver, making them perfectly safe to use as Christmas decorations.

Wood

These ornaments can be as simple as a one-dimensional star or as intricate as forest creatures. They can be hand-carved or laser-cut and made from different types of wood. Wood ornaments are versatile and complement a range of decorating themes like rustic farmhouse or enchanted woodland.

Metal

Whether flat or three-dimensional, these baubles add sparkle to any Christmas tree décor. Metal ornaments are made from a host of materials such as iron, copper, or variants of alloys like steel. You can find pieces that feature different shapes and are intricately designed with crystal beads.

Fabric

These ornaments can be made from felt, burlap, wool, or any type of fabric. They’re usually crafted by hand, giving them that charming, handmade appeal. Available in a wide variety of designs, fabric ornaments add a wonderful texture to any Christmas tree display.

Capiz

Capiz shells are translucent and durable, making them great substitutes for glass. Capiz ornaments include classic designs such as stars, angels, and bells. Aside from Christmas tree ornaments, they’re also used to make lampshades, lanterns, and other decorative objects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to commonly asked questions about Christmas ornaments.

What Is the Most Common Christmas Ornament? 

Angels and stars are always popular, whether as an ornament or tree topper. Classic Christmas balls also never go out of style.

What Are the Different Christmas Ornament Shapes? 

Christmas ornaments come in a variety of shapes including balls, onions, teardrops, finials, stars, angels, snowflakes, and more.

What Materials Are Used To Create Ornaments?

Glass, metal, fabric, wood, and Capiz are some of the most common materials used in making Christmas ornaments.

How Do You Pick Christmas Ornaments?

Choosing Christmas ornaments depends on your personal style and preference. Start with a theme and build out your ideas from there. For example, a winter wonderland motif would look great with white and red elements, snowflake accents, and faux frozen red berries.

How Many Ornaments Do I Need for My Tree?

Wondering how many ornaments you need for a 6-foot tree? The number of ornaments depends not just on the size of your tree, but its shape as well. The sizes of your ornaments also come into play, including how light or heavy you want the coverage to be.

What Is the Standard Size Christmas Ornaments?

Standard ornament sizes can range from 2.5 to 3 inches. Use standard-sized ones if you like everything to look uniform or mix them with jumbo or mini ornaments to add visual interest.

How Do I Customize Ornaments?

If you’re into DIY arts and crafts, customizing ornaments is a wonderful way to make them more personalized. Start with plain ball or star ornaments and decorate them with various materials like glitter and sequins. You can also paint them in your favorite colors using watercolor or craft paint.

What Are the Three Types of Ornaments?

The three types of ornaments typically include traditional ornaments, such as glass balls and angels; personalized ornaments, which commemorate special occasions or loved ones; and thematic ornaments, like those shaped as stars, snowflakes, or other seasonal symbols.

Why Is It Called ‘Ornament’?

The word “ornament” comes from the Latin word ornamentum, which means “equipment” or “adornment.” In the context of Christmas, it refers to decorative objects that adorn the tree and other parts of the home during the holiday season.

What Does a Christmas Ornament Symbolize?

It symbolizes celebration, tradition, and the festive spirit of the holiday season. Each ornament can carry its own meaning, such as love, peace, or the commemoration of special memories shared with family and friends.