Traditional hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments never go out of style. There is something special about them: pulling them out year after year, one is reminded of pleasant Christmases past. Putting up familiar and treasured Christmas ornaments is one of the rituals that make the yuletide special. Likewise, collectors and young families can appreciate the treasures that have adorned others' Christmas trees in years past.

Hand-blown or mass-produced?

The most important initial aspect of an ornament is whether it is hand-blown glass, or machine-tooled; if hand-blown, it's a good chance the ornament is vintage. Of course, hand-blown ornaments using vintage molds are still being made today in some countries, so this is not a sure-fire approach to identification. To find out if an ornament is hand-blown, remove the stem from the base of the ornament: ornaments that are hand-blown will have an uneven base because it is not possible for a glass blower to make an even break. Machine-made ornaments will have a very smooth, even base. If an ornament is machine-made, it is almost certainly of more recent vintage.

Big or small

Early ornaments tend to be smaller than modern ornaments. They were usually done in softer colors with hand-painted details. You'll notice that the paint may be faded or distressed in certain areas on vintage ornaments. Look for round ornaments in a variety of diminutive sizes, reflector ornaments, unusual shapes, or ones that represent food items. These were the common themes for older ornaments.

Shapes

Originally ornaments were used to represent the bounty of the year-end harvest with an emphasis on food and the natural elements. Bird ornaments represented the Biblical messengers that bring God's love and peace to the world. Birds were also symbolic of good luck and good fortune. Fruit and vegetable shapes symbolized the harvest; pickle shapes signified luck. Fish shapes were an early Christian symbol for Christ. Star shapes represented the Star of Bethlehem. During Victorian times, reflector ornaments (ornaments with geometric concave indentations) were often called 'witches' eyes' and were placed on the Christmas tree to fend off any evil spirits.

Sources for vintage ornaments

Ebay, antique shops, flea markets, church sales and garage sales are the best modern areas to hunt for vintage ornaments.

Values

Prices can vary from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on condition and rarity. New or old ornaments made by the German manufacturer Lauscha are highly collectible since the company's recent demise.