My favourite Christmas ornaments are glass ones. They are so lovely to hold and to look at and also so fragile. I have a reasonable collection and am always looking out for more. But since I have had children I have had to put my precious glass ornaments away and settle for less fragile ones and lots of homemade children's decorations for our tree. In the range of glass ornaments there are crystal Christmas ornaments such as the Swarovski ones, hand blown glass with gold leaf and painted glass ornaments that are more common. Originally Christmas baubles were made from glass, in the days before plastic became so readily and cheaply available. Glass ornaments come in a variety of shapes and style from icicles, baubles or balls to stars, teddy bears, Santa, soldiers and many more shapes.

When looking for glass ornaments for decorating your tree, one of the first things you should decide is if you are going to have a theme or not. Some people like a theme where they choose say a color or style for the tree this year. I have always had good intentions but usually end up putting my favorites on the tree where I can enjoy them. Most of my favorites tend to have blue/silver running through them so there is a sort of theme, just not adhered to very well!

After getting the theme out of the way, then the style of the glass ornament can be looked at. Do you like the clear crystal or a painted effect. I have some lovely hand blown balls that are laid with gold leaf, but also some clear icicles that always look so beautiful with the fairy lights behind them. The painted baubles can accent the theme or just follow any other hobby you may have, for example I like Monet, so a hand painted bauble with a Monet picture on it would appeal to me.

Whatever glass ornaments you choose make sure that you pack them away carefully after Christmas so that you can enjoy them year after year. The best way to pack glass is in glass or tissue paper, in a box filled with foam chips. This way they will stay safe for ever.

I am looking forward to a time when I can get my glass out again to decorate my tree, and fully enjoy all my favorite Christmas Ornaments. How about you?