By far one of our most popular gift items,
this optic crystal heart engraved Engraved Christmas Ornament makes a
beautiful gift and looks beautiful on any holiday tree. 3" painted
silver, gift box included. Price includes 2 names and a date or year.
Additional charge for graphics.
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CLICK HERE FOR ENGRAVING FONTS AND GRAPHICS
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Engraved Engraved Christmas Ornament using our secure shopping cartt
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$
32.95
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A History Of The Engraved Christmas Ornament |
For many people,
decorating their home and Christmas trees with engraved ornaments is
one of the most enjoyable ways to capture the magic and excitement of
the holidays.
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. Decorated 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 emigrating from Germany and
England in the 1840s.
Engraved 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 engraved Christmas ornaments available at that time primarily 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 butterfly 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 Christmas ornaments that were engraved in large quantities
for export to this country. Czechoslovakia also entered the field with
many fancy ornaments. By 1935, more then 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 business. Using a machine
designed to make light bulbs, Corning engineers produced more than
2,000 ornament balls a minute.
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. When the first line of Christmas ornaments was
introduced, they were unique in design, engraved with year and -date
and available only for a limited time – innovations in the world of
ornaments. Since 1973, Hallmark has introduced more than 3,000
different Keepsakes Ornaments and more than 100 ornament series,
groups of ornaments that share a specific theme.
The finished Keepsake engraved Christmas Ornaments reflect the way
styles, materials, formats and technology have expanded since the
first ones appeared in Hallmark stores in 1973. Once a collection of
decorated glass balls and yarn figures, Keepsake Ornaments now are
made in a wide array of wood, acrylic, bone china, porcelain, and
handcrafted formats.
But one thing hasn't changed. Their superior craftsmanship and high
quality still ensure that Engraved Christmas Ornaments will become
family heirlooms and cherished collectibles.
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