Christmas ornaments

Hassle-free shopping for holiday ornaments and decorations at Crocus:

Holiday Ornaments Have a Sparkling History

(ARA) - As you trim the tree and deck the halls, have you ever wondered why you are doing it? How did these customs get started and what do they symbolize? Although your holiday decorating taste may not reflect your Grandmother's or even your Mother's style, tradition is part of this holiday, more than any other. So before you hang your chili pepper string of lights and your fiber optic Christmas tree, consider the history of the Christmas tree and the ornaments we hang on it.

Perhaps no symbol of the season is more widely recognized than the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria's German husband, Prince Albert, is credited with introducing the Christmas tree to England in the 1840s. Wanting to emulate the royal family, people began to adopt the custom and it soon became popular.

Some historians trace the origin of the Christmas tree to an even earlier period. Even before the Christian era, trees and boughs were used for ceremonies. Egyptians, in celebration of the winter solstice, brought green date palms into their homes as symbols of life triumphing over death. Likewise, when the Romans observed the feast of Saturn, part of the ceremony was the raising of an evergreen bough, and centuries ago in Great Britain, the Druids used evergreens during mysterious winter solstice rituals. The Druids considered holly and mistletoe symbols of eternal life and placed evergreen branches over doors to keep away evil spirits.

The urge to add sparkle to the tree started early -- Martin Luther, in the 16th century, is credited as being the first person to put candles on a tree, and the first electrically lighted Christmas tree appeared in 1882. In Victorian times, people had already started decorating trees with cakes, fruit and small gifts that were hung on the branches with ribbon. In 1880, Woolworth's first sold manufactured Christmas tree ornaments, and they caught on very quickly.

Swarovski, the largest manufacturer of full cut crystal, offers ornaments that add glamour and elegance to any tree. The 2002 Annual Edition Ornament, the 12th in the holiday collectibles series, is a stunning crystal snowflake design with 162 facets that create a brilliant kaleidoscope effect.

The ornament is a great gift for collectors and first-time recipients alike. The Annual Edition ornaments are a favorite among celebrities such as Vivica A. Fox, Sharon Lawrence and Joely Fisher; in fact, Fisher exclaims "everyone on my holiday gift list will be receiving a sparkling and glamorous Swarovski Annual Edition ornament this year!"

These versatile ornaments don't have to be limited to hanging on your tree. Here are a few other decorating suggestions:
* Hang multiples of the same crystal ornament from a mantle, interspersed with greenery, colorful berries and candles, creating a shimmering holiday display.
* Enhance a chandelier or lighting fixture by attaching crystal ornaments to it to provide a warm, enchanting setting.
* Transform a window into a stylish display, by hanging pinecones, cinnamon sticks and crystal ornaments from colorful string or ribbon.
* Liven up a floral arrangement or an evergreen wreath with multiple crystal ornaments.
The 2002 Annual Edition Ornament makes a truly special holiday gift, or a welcome addition to your own collection. Swarovski is available at department and specialty stores nationwide and in Swarovski Gallery Stores in select cities. To view the complete holiday collection, and to find a store near you, visit www.swarovski.com, or call (800) 426-3088.
Courtesy of ARA Content

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more than 100 years, Swarovski, the Austrian family company based in Wattens in the Tyrol, has been the world's leading manufacturer of cut crystal. The Swarovski group also includes Tyrolit, which produced grinding tools and abrasives; Swarovski Optik, the company's optics division, with its precision optics for hunting and nature observation; and Signity, which produces natural and synthetic precious stones. The Swarovski Collectors Society boasts more than 450,000 people in 28 countries around the world, with more than 100,000 members in the United States. For more information, contact Alicia Resnicoff at (212) 413-0543, aresnicoff@cairnsny.com or Anne Rood, (212) 413-0537, arood@cairnsny.com.

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