Ever since the early 17^th century, Christmas trees have been decorated with everything from the elegant to the unlikely!  Christmas ornaments are available in a stunning array of material from the precious to the pedestrian, and have been subject to as many fashion whims as home decor. Here’s a brief history of collectible ornaments both old and new and what you can expect to pay to hang them on your tree.

History of Christmas Ornaments

The earliest ornaments were edible-fruits, cookies and other sweets that were meant to be eaten.  Later, people began adorning their trees with ornaments made of nuts, popcorn and cranberries, and putting treats in cornucopia shaped, lithographed paper containers.  The majority of early ornaments were homemade, but these were augmented by manufactured ornaments in tinsel and glass.

A machine for making tinsel was invented in 1610 in Germany, and the wealthy decorated their trees with the shimmering stands made of real silver. Real silver tinsel was in use until the 20^th century, when it was replaced with a paper or plastic version.

The Christmas Pickle

Glass Ornaments have been around since German glass blowers began making them in the 16^th century.  Originally, glass ornaments were ball shaped, but in the tradition of hanging fruits & nuts on the tree, the glass balls evolved into the shapes of edible treats, including the legendary Christmas pickle that is hidden deep within the tree, and brings its finder an extra gift and the privilege of opening the first present. No one is exactly certain about the origin of this pickled tradition, except that it grew out of the creation of early glass ornaments in the shapes of fruits and veggies.

Victorian Glass Ornaments

The Victorians embraced the industrial age in their choice of ornaments as well as everything else, and store bought ornaments became all the rage.  Early glass ornaments were simple, decorated balls, but soon glass ornaments in the shape of animals, veggies, and Christmas icons became available. Glass balls in a variety of shapes that were then wrapped in crimped wire were popular.  Common and simple examples sell for as little as $40, but more complex, rare and fragile examples cost hundreds.

Victorian Paper and Scrap Ornaments

Other Victorian ornaments were made of spun glass, paper, scrap, wax or cotton, particularly in the shape of children and angels.  Some of these had cotton bodies and bisque heads or die-cut, embossed cardboard heads and scrap bodies. Tinsel and scrap and cardboard and cotton examples sell for $10-50, again based on subject, rarity, and condition.

Shiny Bright Boxed Sets

In the 1930’s, department store began selling boxed sets of ornaments, most notably by the Shiny Bright Company.  Shiny Bright was the brainchild of Max Eckhardt and the Corning Glass company whose aim was a large share of the American Christmas ornament market.  Shiny Bright ornaments were inexpensive and proved popular with depression weary American decorators who enthusiastically embraced new and inexpensive ways of adding sparkle to dreary times. 

Authentic, vintage Shiny Bright ornaments in excellent condition in original boxes can bring $25 for a box of 6 with applied snow scenes to $100 for a mixed a box of 12, with half figurals and half ornaments in shapes created by indentations

Radko Ornaments

There are many contemporary makers of ornaments, but Hallmark and Radko are two of the most popular.  In the early 1980’s Christopher Radko worked with glassmakers in Poland to create replacements for heirloom family ornaments shattered in a freak Christmas tree accident.  Friends and family members asked for copies and the company was born.  Today, old ornaments are retired, and new ones are issued each year.  Radko ornaments are hand-blown by European glass artisans, then hand decorated, so no two are exactly alike. Early Radko ornaments fetch anywhere between $15-100 depending on subject and popularity.

To learn more about collecting Christmas ornaments and the history of Christmas symbols, read Christmas Collectibles from Advent to Wreaths,  and  Hallmark Ornaments for Christmas, and

Coke History

Pharmacist J.S. Pemberton developed the formula for Coca-Cola in 1886, and for the past 122 years coca-cola advertising products have hit the streets in record numbers and quantities.  The Coca-Cola Company has mounted some of the most successful advertising campaigns not only in this country, but all over the globe. 

Santa Claus by Coke

From the very start, the company projected an image of wholesomeness and patriotism.  Early print advertisements featured beautiful women, adorable children, and winsome teenagers; some simply enjoyed a refreshing glassful, while for others, it’s a much needed thirst quencher and energizer during All-American pursuit like “motoring”, swimming, golfing, diving, and skating.   Coca-Cola advertising was so ubiquitous, that Santa Claus, as he is pictured today, was the result of a 1931 Coke campaign designed by illustrator Haddon Sunblom, who modeled the “Jolly old Elf” after himself.  From 1931 to 1966, Sunblom’s Santa was the star of Coca-Colas seasonal advertising and to this day influences the American ideal of Santa Claus.

Authentic Trays by Coca-Cola

The trays are the biggest single category, with at least 47 versions manufactured over the years.  The oldest trays are not surprisingly, the most valuable, with the 1897 Victorian lady tray known to have sold for as much as $12,000.  While it’s not difficult to find most of the trays, people used them, and wet glasses of refreshing Coke created lots of rust.  Mint condition examples are unusual, and command high prices.  Prices for the common trays from the 1950’s and later have fallen substantially, for example, a 1950’s Menu Girl tray has a stated worth in a collector book of  $60 , but sold recently on eBay for under $10.

Reproduction/Reissue Coke Trays

During the 1970’s when Americana was a popular decorating motif, Coca-Cola issued reproductions of some of their most popular early trays.  These reproductions will be marked as such on the backs.  In the 1980’s, they did the same, in honor of their 100^th anniversary.  While these are authentic, Coca-Cola issued trays they are considerably less valuable than their antique and vintage counterparts. All of the 10 ½” x 13 ½” trays from 1910-1942 are marked on the back with a manufacture date and the words made in USA,  American Artworks, Inc, Coshocton, Ohio.

Coke Tray Forgeries

Not surprisingly, forgeries have been found of the most valuable trays. Examples from the following years have been reproduced: 1897 Victorian Lady, 1901 Hilda Clark,  1907 Relieves Fatigue, 1910 & 1913 Hamilton King Girl in Hat,  1914 Betty,  1925 Patty, 1926 Golfers, 1934 Weismuller & O’Sullivan 1937 Running Girl.