Victorian Christmas Ornaments

The Christmas tree that we all know has it's roots in Victorian Britain which is why we love the Victorian methods of tree decorating creating rich, opulent looking Christmas trees

Although the use of a Christmas tree didn't start in England during the Victorian era the popularity seems to have arisen here and spread throughout the Western world through emigration. Victoria was a very popular queen when she was younger and people loved to follow her example so when her husband decided to bring a Christmas tree into the palace everyone in Society wanted to follow suit.

The German tradition of having a Christmas tree had arrived in style in Victorian Britain and gradually worked it's way down through the classes. The Victorians had their own thoughts on decorating these Christmas trees and when we think of a vintage Christmas tree (or a classic Christmas tree) we usually think of the way the Victorians decorated their trees.

So exactly how did the Victorians decorate their Christmas trees?

Handmade Victorian Christmas Ornaments

A lot of the Christmas ornaments that were used during the Victorian era were handmade utilizing the skills of the ladies that lived in the house. These included beadwork, cross stitch and crocheted ornaments.

Some of these ornaments were absolutely beautiful and helped to create the lush and glamorous Christmas trees that we associate with the era. Find out more about the different types of handmade Victorian Christmas ornaments below and (maybe) even make your own!

Homemade Victorian Christmas Ornaments

When it comes to adding a touch of Victoriana to your Christmas tree you should think about handmade Victorian Christmas Ornaments.

Some of the handmade Victorian ornaments were beaded ornaments and I am in awe of some of the beadwork that was used to decorate Christmas trees. All of their beadwork was done by hand there was no - get a Christmas bauble, use a hot glue gun and apply sequins and small beads!

Every beaded Christmas ornament that hung on a Victorian Christmas tree was hand beaded which I think is pretty amazing and certainly not something many of us would have the time to make these days which is why it's great that we can buy Victorian beaded Christmas ornaments already made!

Victorian Beaded Christmas Ornaments

Beaded Christmas ornaments were very popular with the Victorians because the beadwork added a touch of opulence to a Victorian Christmas tree.

Cameo Christmas Ornaments

Victorian Influenced Christmas Ornaments

The Victorian’s loved their cameos, if you think of old pictures of Victorian ladies they often had a cameo broach on their blouse. You can incorporate their love of cameos with your Christmas tree when you use these gorgeous ornaments to decorate them.

Personally I love the Wedgewood cameos in the pale blue color that they are often made in and they really makes me think of Victorian high fashion. Reds and burgandy are also colors that the Victorian's embraced on their Christmas trees which is why it's great that you can get cameos in both of these colors especially for your Christmas tree.

	"The Christmas Dance" Norman Rockwell Cameo Ornament - 1987 Hallmark Collector's Series Only $24.95
	Candle Cameo 1985 Hallmark Ornament QX3742 ~~$9.99~~ $7.44
	June Zimonick Swarovski Crystals Cameo Christmas Ornament 1988 No. 56 - Artist Variation Exquisite Cameo Satin Ball: The old-fashioned pearls and nostalgic cameo of this elegant ornament will add that finishing touch to your traditional holiday decorations. Four Bea... Only $785.0
	Carol Singers Ornament 5883443041 Features: -3.6" H x 5.4" W, 0.5 lb. Only $207.99
	Set Of 4 Red & White Cameo Plaque With Saying Ornaments Set Of 4 Red & White Cameo Plaque With Saying Ornaments made In China
	Kurt Adler 90mm Blue And Green Cameo Balls With Bird Ornament Set OF 2 90mm Blue And Green Cameo Balls With Bird Ornament Set OF 2 Made IN China

Filigree Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Filigree metal work was embraced during the Victorian era and these Christmas ornaments are some great examples of how you can incorporate this style of Victoriana onto your Victorian styled Christmas tree.

3" Gold Filigree Chirping Bird Ball Shaped Christmas Ornament

Chirping Bird Christmas Ornament Item #90311006 Ball ornament will delight you with the sound of a chirping bird Features a gold ornate filigree design Convenient on/off ...

Only $12.99

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Club Pack of 24 Icy Crystal Clear Filigree Snowflake Christmas Ornaments

Club Pack of 24 Icy Crystal Clear Filigree Snowflake Christmas Ornaments-From the Icy Crystal CollectionItem #W3613These ornate delicately-crafted snowflake ornaments feature di...

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5.5" Victorian White Filigree Glittered Ice Skate Christmas Ornament

Victorian style skate filigree ornament features scrollwork and white sparkling glitterFully dimensional ornamentComes ready-to-hang on a clear cordDimensions: 5.5"H x 5.5"W x 1...

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Christmas Cards As Christmas Ornaments

Another Victorian Tradition

During the Victorian era the first Christmas cards were sold. People were accustomed to leaving a calling card when they visited so the idea of Christmas cards were an easy sell to Victorian society.

What to do with these Christmas cards once you had them though? I have no idea who started the idea, but some of the Victorians actually placed their Christmas cards onto their trees as a way of decorating.

A great way to incorporate this idea onto your Victorian Christmas tree is by using vintage designed gift tags for two reasons. One is that gift tags are a little smaller than Christmas cards which will (in my opinion) make it easier for you to get a great Christmas tree display. The second reason is that gift tags often come with string or ribbon attached which is what you can use to tie them to your Christmas tree.