The History Of Hand Painted Ornaments

Many people love Hand Painted Ornaments for the warmth and beauty they add to their Christmas tree during the holidays. They're much more personal than the mass marketed ornaments available in discount stores, and often become family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation. But how did these elegant ornaments come to be and gain the popularity that they enjoy today?

Christmas trees and the symbol of the evergreen have their origins all the way back to Roman times. The Romans would decorate their homes with green branches and lights during the Winter Solstice to symbolize a bright eternal future. Over the centuries, trees were a popular part of Winter and Christmas celebrations, though decorating the trees did not become popular until the 1800's.

The Germans first began decorating trees with apples, nuts and berries, then eventually paper streamers and paper versions of the fruit. They also began weaving small baskets or satchels to fit small gifts for the family in. Eventually reproductions of these decorations were being made with glass, and the tradition of Christmas ornaments was passed to England, and eventually America. When pictures of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's Christmas Tree began circulating around the globe, this tradition really took off.

German glass blowers began creating molds of foods, animals, gifts and more for their Hand Painted Ornaments. As word of these fabulous new ornaments spread across the continent, they found there was no end to the styles of ornaments they could create. Today, these ornaments are imported all over the world from various countries in Europe.

We love hand painted ornaments because no two are alike. Our Wildflower Hand Painted Ornaments each have their own slight variations that make them unique to your tree and your home. When shopping for hand painted Christmas ornaments, make sure to check the quality and that they are coming from Europe or America. There are plenty of knock-off ornaments coming in from China that look hand painted, but are really mass produced. With a little research and patience, you can continue this fine tradition of hand painted ornaments with your own family.