By Anouk Vleugels | 2 December 2024
I grew up in the 1990s, and remember decorating our Christmas tree with two kinds of baubles: glass orbs and star-shaped figurines. There may have been a stray angel here and there, but that pretty much summed up our family’s entire ornament collection.
But times have changed. Baubles today range from the delightfully specific (think: a chicken nugget dipped into a miniature ketchup bowl) to the topical (a “Make America Great Again” ornament that didn’t exactly receive glowing reviews) to the downright bizarre (a Dalmatian dog pooping).
They’re quirky, ironic, and unapologetically unique—a way to let your holiday decorations reflect your personality. Fan of llamas? There’s an ornament for that. Obsessed with ramen noodles? You can hang your love for them right on your tree.
Express yourself with holiday decorations
While quirky decorations might feel like a modern twist, they actually draw inspiration from an older tradition—one where Christmas ornaments were tied to specific memories. For example, a bauble might commemorate the birth of a child, a wedding, or another cherished moment.
According to Elena Napoleone, an expert in Decorative Objects, the desire to break away from tradition plays a big role in this trend. “It’s natural for younger generations to want to do something different from their parents, to put their own spin on things. With Christmas decorations, that often means adding ornaments that feel meaningful to them.”
But traditional ornaments aren’t fading into irrelevance. Napoleone notes a steady demand for timeless classics, like porcelain pieces from Villeroy & Boch or vintage papier-mâché baubles.
Some ornaments available on Catawiki date back to the late 1800s, though most are from the 20th century. Napoleone says that ‘Weihnachtspyramiden’ from the 1960s are particularly popular right now.
These wooden pyramid-shaped decorations have their origins in German folklore. They typically feature candle holders and a rotating central carousel powered by candle heat. The carousel often depicts nativity scenes, angels, wise men, miners, or forest animals, blending craftsmanship with holiday spirit.
A wooden Christmas Pyramid
A brief history of Christmas ornaments
Germany has been the birthplace of many iconic Christmas decorations. Hand-blown glass baubles, for instance, originated in Lauscha in the 1840s. Early designs often featured fruits and nuts, but over time, other shapes—like the now-classic orb—became popular.
By the late 1840s, an illustration of Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert, celebrating Christmas around a lavishly decorated tree, captured hearts and minds across Europe. “In a way, Queen Victoria was the first Christmas influencer,” Napoleone says. “She started a trend that spread far and wide.”
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert illustrated
In the 1880s, American entrepreneur F.W. Woolworth discovered Lauscha’s baubles while travelling in Germany. He recognised their potential and began importing them to the U.S., where they became an instant hit. By the 1890s, Woolworth’s Department Store was earning $25 million annually from German ornaments made of lead and hand-blown glass. Over the decades, Christmas tree décor grew increasingly elaborate, with tinsel, silk, and wool adding their own artistic flair to the festive season.
Collecting rare baubles
While most people buy ornaments to decorate their trees and homes, others see them as collectables. “Rare or limited-edition ornaments by brands like Coca-Cola and Disney are highly sought-after,” Napoleone explains. One Swarovski Mickey Mouse ornament was even sold on Catawiki for a staggering €380.
The Swarovski Mickey Mouse ornament, sold in 2016
But collecting doesn’t have to break the bank. Napoleone suggests exploring wooden figurines handcrafted by toymakers from Germany’s Ore Mountain region, known in German as Erzgebirge. “You can already find figurines starting from €20, and each one is different,” she says. “That makes it easy to build a collection without spending a fortune.”
Check out our collection of Christmas ornaments