Celtic Christmas Decorations: Scotland

It's not only Jim Shore who had this idea. 

Over in Poland, another bagpipe playing Sunty Clas has been fired up for Christmas. He's 5.6" tall, 2.9" wide and 2.3" deep.

What I love about this one, perhaps even more than those above, is the brilliance of the colors. They are in festive green and red, but look how rich the hues are; and they're all accented in gold glitter. That will catch the lights beautifully.

Each of these Sunty Clas ornaments have been blown by mouth, then hand-painted. Their shininess is down to the fact that it's genuine Polish glass.

For that reason, you might want to place your Scottish Santa bagpiper high up in your Christmas tree's branches, out of the reach of small children and pets.

Pipka have produced a whole collection of Santa Claus figurines from around the world.

Naturally, this includes a Scottish Father Christmas statue. Pictured left, though that image really doesn't do it justice.

The Scottish Santa stands at 5.25", finely crafted from resin.

As a bonus, he's accompanied by Greyfriar's Bobby - Scotland's legendary canine peers out from Sunty Clas's feet.

Nor is he the only Scottish tradition featured here. Tartan clad Father Christmas carries a Scotch Fir Tree in his sack and cradles bagpipes under his arm.

Hand-crafted in Germany, this Scottish bagpipe player is ready to brighten up your Christmas tree; though unfortunately without sound. 

He is accompanied by a snowman dressed up in tartan.

They are both 3.5" tall and wooden. They each arrive in a presentation gift box.

Though patently Scottish in design, the collection is much more culturally German; and internationally renowned too.

Herr Steinbach founded his workshop in the village of Hohenhamein.  That was over two hundred years ago, but his wooden decoration proved to be quite popular!

From humble beginnings, Steinbach Wood Ornaments are now collected throughout the world.

Karla Steinbach is the latest in a long line of artisans in the decoration making clan. She will pass on her skills and the company to the next generation; just as she learned her craft from her father Christian.

Both of the cute fellows on the right are her creations. 

All Steinbach wooden decorations are made by hand. They are hand-painted too, all pretty much as the original Herr Steinbach crafted them in the 18th century.

You know that every decoration that you receive is unique, because no human endeavor could make it identical to all of the rest.  A lot of loving care went into them first.

You will have to be quick if you want to grab one of these Cherished Teddies Christmas ornaments.

The Scottish Boy decoration was retired in 1998.  There are very few left on the market.

It was part of the International Collection by self-taught artist Priscilla Hillmann.  Her very first collection, in fact!

There's something quite charming in the way that he's carrying his lamb, like a Gaelic latecomer to the Nativity.

I also like the way that, though definitely a Christmas decoration, Hillmann didn't go with the more usual red and green. The Scottish Boy will probably stand out, amongst all of the other ornaments, for just that reason.