History of the Christmas Ornament Although Christmas trees first appeared in
America in the 1700s, the emergence of the modern Christmas tree actually dates back to 15th and 16th century Germany. Evergreens were used first in church plays at
Christmas and were hung with apples to symbolize a Paradise tree. Paradise trees later found their way into homes, where they were adorned with small white wafers, and later, small pastries cut into stars, angels, hearts and flowers. During the next 200 years, this custom slowly
spread throughout Germany and Europe. Deco- rated trees were brought to America by Hessians – German mercenaries – fighting in the Revolutionary War. Christmas wasn’t widely celebrated in the United
States until the 1800s, however, because of the Puritans’ influence. As a result, decorated trees did not become widely popular until people saw the ornaments brought to America by families emigrat- ing from Germany and England in the 1840s. Ornaments became a big hit. F.W. Woolworth of
five-and-dime fame had reluctantly stocked his stores with German-made ornaments in 1880. By 1890, he was selling $25 million worth of ornaments at nickel and dime prices. The ornaments available at that time primarily
Christmas wasn’t widely celebrated in the United States until the 1800s, however, because of the Puritans’ influence.
Linda had never carved anything and didn’t consid-
er herself a creative person, but that changed in time. Charles taught her to carve and
she’d make little figurines. Eventu- ally, she dabbled in jewelry and now has Linda Widmer Jewelry in the same shop of her husband and step- son. The Widmer’s work has been col-
lected around the world. About 20 years ago, they moved
back to Mountain View to help care for Charles’ ailing father. Soon, Charles set up shop in the Ozark Folk Center and Linda joined with her jewelry. Linda cre- ates wire wrapped jewelry around antique buttons, glass, and stones. Son Chuck served in the Army for 26 years before
retiring. He lived in Prague for a while and then moved back to Mountain View and joined his dad and stepmother in January.
were German hand-cast lead and hand-blown glass decorations. As time passed, the ornaments became more elaborate – and expensive. Silk and wool thread, chenille and tinsel embellished many of them. Stiff spun glass appeared as angel and butter- fly wings; tinsel was used on fancy flower baskets, vases, air balloons and egg zeppelins. Germany faced virtually no competition until 1925. Then Japan began producing ornaments in large quantities for export to this country. Czechoslovakia also entered the field with many fancy ornaments. By 1935, more than 250 million Christmas tree ornaments were being imported to the United States. Not until 1939 and the outbreak of
World War II did an American company significantly enter the ornament busi- ness. Using a machine designed to make light bulbs, Corning engineers produced more than 2,000 ornament balls a min- ute.
In 1973, when Hallmark introduced six glass ball
ornaments and 12 yarn figures as the first collection of Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, a new tradition of Christmas decorating was started and a new collectible industry was born.
SOURCE: HALLMARK
10 Living Well i November/December 2017
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