Glass Christmas ornaments are the most fragile of all the types of Christmas decorations we use for dressing our tree. But they just glisten in the light and make such lovely reflections that most people have a glass Christmas ornament somewhere in their collection.

Glass ornaments can be found anywhere from the discount store to the high quality gift store. There is such a range available. The low quality glass ornaments look good at a distance, but are easily broken and replaced. The quality crystal Christmas ornaments from glass makers of distinction are beautiful pieces, and are often collectors items. There are lots of styles and most of the glass makers produce ranges of Christmas ornaments for the collector to choose from.

When glass Christmas ornaments first appeared they were made by hand. The glass rod was heated and either mouth blown into a bauble shape or the tube of glass was placed in a mould and blown until it filled the mold, making the glass the shape of the mold. This gave a range of shaped to be made not just balls. After a time when the glass ornament was cool enough a silver solution is poured into it to coat the inside of the glass to make it reflective. After the glass had cooled it would be hand painted, then the glass rods removed and the cap added. If the hand blown glass Christmas ornament had gold used on it it would be kiln fired to set the gold. Some expensive glass ornaments are still made this way.

Today glass ornaments include many different shapes from candy canes (which are two colored glass rod heated and twisted together) to handmade icicles (a form of glass art).

Crystal Christmas Ornaments

Crystal Christmas ornaments fall under glass as they are basically glass treated with a special lead coating to make them reflect rainbow colors. Swarovski was the first glass maker to patent the special coating that made him and his glass famous. Today there are many famous names that produce crystal collections for Christmas. Names such as Swarovski, Wedgewood, Orrefors, Waterford, Stuart,Lalique, Baccarat, Kosta Boda and Nambe. These companies produce high quality collectors items and usually have limited edition pieces released annually. I

f you choose to have crystal ornaments for your tree make sure that they are securely attached to the tree or even display them on separate display stands. When you make the items away after Christmas always put them away clean and preferably in their original boxes. Crystal can be cleaned but it needs to be treated carefully and be completely dry before packing away.

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

You can make your own glass Christmas ornaments; all you need is some old chandelier crystals and imagination. Chandelier crystals are pre drilled with holes which makes them very easy to use to make ornaments. Using wire to join the crystals together to make snowflakes of just interesting ornaments for your tree.