Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Antique German Ornaments




We cherish the old ornaments that belonged to Grayden's family when he was a child.  These ornaments were not bought in the finest of department stores.  They came from the  F.W. Woolworth store in Richmond, Virginia.  Woolworth was the store where many homemakers found ornaments to decorate their Christmas tree. 


 F. W. Woolworth had purchased blown glass ornaments from a German importer in 1880.  He was not sure that these ornaments would appeal to the public in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  There was a large German population in the area that bought all of the ornaments in two days.  As the Woolworth company grew to 14 stores he decided to visit Dresden and Lauscha.  He placed an order of over 200,000 hand blown glass ornaments.  His decision proved to be profitable as Woolworth sold over $25 million dollars worth of Christmas ornaments.  


We are not sure when these ornaments were purchased, but from a little research it appears they are from the 30's to the 40's.  Grayden's parents were married in the 30's.





Many of the traditional elements of our Christmas celebrations began in Germany.  Of course the Christmas tree began there and the shiny glass balls we decorate with are German in origin. They were masters at glass blowing.  Christians bought decorated trees into their homes in 16th century Germany. 









These ornaments are very lightweight and very fragile.  We do not own the original boxes, so Grayden made a special box to store them in.




I think they look pretty good to be 70 or 80 years old!

  






We have several of the same type, but I have shown at least one of each. 


 

All of these ornaments from one generation to another generation.  


“Christmas is a bridge. We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday.” 

― Gladys Taber


34 comments:

  1. What a happy and heartfelt post! I love your tree, and the stories you tell of your family ornaments. You are a custodian of the past for the future.
    Nadolig Llawen {Happy Christmas}
    Hugs, Deb xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deb, I do so enjoy learning about the history of things from the past. Even if only to share with my children for the future.
      Nadolig Llawen, dear Deb. xoxo ♥

      Delete
  2. An absolutely beautiful tree in a beautiful corner with beautiful windows!!! I too have a few of those ornaments!
    To Williamsburg to see the wreaths today. Enjoy the nice weather!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margot, do you use the old ornaments on your tree? I do hope so.
      Enjoy your day in Williamsburg- You are in for a treat!! ♥

      Delete
  3. Good morning Martha!!
    I ever so much enjoyed this post! I enjoyed to hear some history of these ornaments, for I have the same ones!!Some identical to yours! My Mom had brought some that survived from Germany and she grew quite a collection through the years. She had given me all that we had when I was growing up back in the 80's!! Your tree looks wonderful!!
    Merry Merry Christmas dear one xxx ooo Many many Blessings too! Love Linnie

    PS (I finally got a new computer so I will be able to visit you more regularly, my other one wouldn't stay on more the 5 mins! Now I have to figure out how to retrieve all of my pictures from it)!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Linnie, Aren't the old ornaments wonderful? I know you enjoy all the old from the past just as I do. Do you put them on your Christmas tree?
      That's great you have a new computer! I'm in line for a new one--I just keep putting it off.
      Blessings to you this Christmas, dear one! xoxo ♥

      Delete
  4. What lovely, family treasures, Martha Ellen! Thank you so much for sharing the story of Grayden's antique German ornaments. One year I was so blessed to spend Christmas with my dear German friends, near the Black Forest. The Christkindlmarkt was magical. I will always remember standing in a circle with hands joined around their Christmas tree (lit with candles) singing Stille Nacht together on Christmas Eve. Germany is truly a Christmas wonderland! Thank you for bringing back such cherished memories for me!
    ♡Dawn@Petals.Paper.SimpleThymes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Dawn, your memory in Germany is wonderful! I'm in tears just thinking about that circle of friends singing Silent Night. Germany is such a beautiful country. We visited the Bavarian area as well. It was in October so we missed their wonderful Christmas markets. Our two younger grandson's grandmother is German and we have experienced the live tree lit with candles as well! So magical! Have a lovely day, dear Dawn. ♥

      Delete
  5. Oh how lovely! I think you have several older ornaments, too. What a wonderful quote from Mrs. Tabor. When I was first married, a German girl lived next door to us. She tired of her beautiful vintage German bulbs in favor of a white tree with blue ornaments. She gave me all of hers! Wish that I could say that I still have them all...alas, the years have taken their toll. I do have the bells...my very favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vee, I'm so hoping these ornaments will stay in our family. They are so fragile, I can see why you have lost some. I've been on a Gladys Taber kick lately. She is so down to earth in her writings. Just what I need these days. Have a lovely day, Vee. ♥

      Delete
  6. I enjoyed reading this so much. (Loved that last quote). I recognize many of those ornaments and have some similar ones on our tree from our parents. They are delicate so usually take their place near the top of the tree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dotsie, it's so nice hearing that so many are familiar with these ornaments. I just love reading Gladys Taber's thoughts about life. Have a wonderful afternoon! ♥

      Delete
  7. What lovely quote by Gladys Taber! Your tree looks lovely with all the lights and family ornaments. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, I love, love, love this stroll down memory lane!! My family had many of these beautiful ornaments...and I shared this post with Ron and his family had some of the same ones! Thank you for sharing the history behind these charming old baubles. You were wise to save yours through the years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so nice to hear so many are familiar with these old Christmas ornaments. I just love old things and stories behind them. Maybe some of Ron's siblings have these ornaments also! ♥

      Delete
  9. What beautiful and precious antique ornaments! I love the history, and it was a great and necessary idea to make a special box for them to protect them. A few years ago the grandsons were helping me decorate the tree with glass balls (these were not antique, nor did I have any special attachment to them)and one of them dropped a ball on the floor and it shattered into a million pieces. There was nothing to do but laugh. Hope none of your ornaments fall on the floor! and that you have a wonderful time preparing for Christmas, Martha Ellen. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy, unfortunately we have had a couple of these ornaments to come crashing through the tree. I'm afraid we didn't laugh. Your way is much nicer though. They are only things. Merry Christmas, Judy! xo ♥

      Delete
  10. The ornaments are beautiful and it somehow have brought a more meaningful Christmas atmosphere!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Lei, the old ornaments do bring a feeling of Christmas past into the present. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. ♥

      Delete
  11. They look very pretty and original! My friend from www.essay-writer.club says he had a lot of the same old glass toys when he was a little boy. I'm now wondering if there are some old toys at my parents house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ginger. You should check out the old toys. Thanks for stopping by. ♥

      Delete
  12. Wow what a beautiful tree. I love old glass baubles & collect them.
    We use to have Woolworths over here until a few years ago & like you so many baubles were sold through them.
    Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Fondly Michelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle, I noticed that Woolworth used to be in England as well. I just love the old Christmas ornaments hanging on the tree. Merry Christmas to you and your family! xo ♥

      Delete
  13. Absolutely breathtaking! I wish I could put up a tree, but not as long as these kittens are in their "active" mode. Maybe in a year or two, XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Susan, your kitties would love a tree! Just kidding. Merry Christmas to you and your family! XOXO ♥

      Delete
  14. Martha, So glad you featured the vintage glass. I so love these and have some in the original boxes, gifted from a friend and purchased through the years on EBAY...so mine don't have the personal history, but I really love them. Favorites are the fruits and the indented balls. Oh, and I love Glass birds! The tree is a STUNNER!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeri, I love glass birds as well! I purchased some for a small tree I have with just birds. They are not old ones, sadly. ♥

      Delete
  15. These German ornaments are wonderful, Martha Ellen, and so very special passed down from your family. I remember the Woolworth stores well! These lightweight ornaments are very popular right now, and I have a few of my own. I love the Santa one, and your tree is beautiful. Thanks for sharing a few of your ornaments with us. Ornaments from Christmas' past are very special to me as well.

    Have a merry and bright Christmas season, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sheri. It's so much fun to hang ornaments from so long ago on our tree. We feel so blessed to continue to enjoy these special pieces from Grayden's family.
      Merry Christmas to you and your family, Sheri! ♥

      Delete
  16. Hi Thanks for visiting my blog. Fortunately we weren't affected by the flooding. I have been enjoying having a read of your blog. I still have some vintage Christmas ornaments that I had when I was a child. Joan at www.aviewtothefells.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, Joan. I'm glad you were spared the misery that affected so many. I love the old ornaments and the fact they have seen so many Christmases. Merry Christmas! ♥

      Delete
  17. Some of those ornaments remind me of my parent's Christmas tree when I was growing up. We had exactly the same ornaments as you are showing. Being 3,000 miles away I haven't spent Christmas with them in a very long time. I wonder if Mum still has those ornaments. Thanks for the memory :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, JacquiG. I see I can't reach out to you as your profile is blocked. ♥

      Delete

Your comments will show after moderation. Thank you. ♥