Each year brings ornaments more beautiful than the last. This year our favorites range from miniature silver mirrors to hand-painted baubles from Denmark—all worthy of display well past the holidays.
Rosy, Hand-Blown Orbs
Above: An affordable pick that looks luxe: the glass ornaments in the Boxed Ornaments Desert Set from ABC Carpet & Home are all hand-blown and one-of-a-kind; $24 for a set of six.
Silvered Mirror Ornaments
Above: Julie and Francesca both like the Maureen Fullam Gilded Silver Mirror Ornaments from March in San Francisco. “I’ve been keeping my tree increasingly minimal, so each ornament should really shine. These are worthy of year-round display,” says Francesca.
Old-Fashioned Figural Ornament
Above: “The old-fashioned, sparkly figural ornaments at John Derian never fail to get me,” says Margot. This year she’s been eyeing his Custom Glass Arrow Ornament, made in Poland, but suggests stopping into Derian’s New York City shops to see his selections in person. “Be careful to hang them on branches that won’t get brushed past,” she advises. Call or email for pricing information.
Hand-Blown Glass Star
Above: Justine is admiring this surprisingly well-priced glass Star Ornament from ABC Carpet & Home. “I always love a simple, hand-blown glass star because of they way they reflect the light,” she says. This one is $15.
Delicate Brass Fern
Above: Fan’s pick is the Golden Brass Fern Leaf from French shop Merci. “I like it because it’s so delicate and looks like subtle jewelry for your tree. And when the holidays are over, you could hang it on a doorknob or window since it’s not overtly Christmassy.” It comes in three sizes; this one is the 15 cm, or middle, size, which is €13.
Hand-Painted Danish Ornament
Above: I can’t remember the last time I spotted an ornament so much as these Hand-Painted Baubles from Toast. Made in Denmark of papier mâché and painted by hand in eight earthy colorways and patterns, from black to olive to terracotta, shown here. I especially like the small tassel tied to the top. Each is $11 from Toast.
Minimalist Brass Ornaments
Above: “These would be cool if I were more of a modernist, which, let’s face it, I’m really not,” admits Justine. Nevertheless she likes this trio of Golden Ornaments, another design by Ferm Living; $19 from Burke Decor.
Paper Star
Above: On Julie’s wishlist is the Large Yellow Moravia Star, a traditional ornament “created at a Czech school in 1820.” This version is elaborately made of paper. Says Artilleriet: “With its translucent material, the star lights up with a warm and beautiful shine as a symbol of advent, revelation and Christmas all over the world.” The ornament is 700 SEK from Artilleriet.
Modern Draped Ornament
Above: Kristina’s pick: the Twin Half Circle Brass Ornament, also by Ferm Living, which drapes over a tree branch (or a door knob); currently on sale for $9 from The Line.
More of our all-time favorite ornaments from holidays past:
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