The Christmas tree must be up by now, and the boughs weighed down by pretty baubles. But we say it’s never enough. Do you have a Medusa’s head? Or some Murano glass to boast about at your party? Or a fashionista dressed in a luxurious gold gown? No? Then, we have you sorted.
Toffees, Lollies and Glazed Doughnuts
Glass Forest
There will be plenty of candy to munch on this Christmas, but a definite favourite will be these handcrafted glass pieces — inedible though they are! From red and white toffees and swirly lollipops to glazed doughnuts with sprinkles on top, these ornaments will be a great addition to the Christmas tree. Just make sure the young ones don’t get to them.
Toffees at ₹3,000 (set of three), and the lolly and doughnut at ₹1,500 each, on glass-forest.com
Wooden tree charms
Paper Thundugal
This creative gifting outfit from Komarapalayam-Bhavani district was also seen at the Alliance Française of Madras fair. This time they have wooden tree charms handcrafted by Channapatna artisans. They are known for using non-toxic, natural lac polished wood in vibrant and timeless designs.
₹150 onwards for the ornaments. Details at 7708373775 and @paper.thundugal on Instagram
Annual Edition Ball Ornament 2024
Swarovski
This year’s ornament is a special one, depicting a fireworks display. The sparklers are crafted from clear crystal stars, featuring 396 radiant facets, and champagne gold-tone touches. The glass ball is also encrusted with crystals, to resemble freshly fallen snow. It can take pride of place on your tree, or you can hang it from a window so that each of the 396 facets catch the light. And, if you’d like something simpler, check out 2024’s Annual Edition Festive Ornament. A gold-tone snowflake, it has 133 facets and hangs from a red grosgrain ribbon.
Ball ornament at ₹10,900 and festive ornament at ₹4,490, on swarovski.com
Fashionistas
De Carlini
These hand-painted Christmas ornaments can give your party outfits some competition. Made in Italy by De Carlini, a family company, each piece is made from mouthblown glass, togged out in polyester/faux leather clothing, with accessories made from non-corrugated paper. We especially love the fashionistas in the gold velvet gown, the plum textured jacket, and the purple lace gown.
Approx ₹7,229, on bergdorfgoodman.com
Toda embroidery
Shalom
From Shalom and its founder Sheela Powell in Ooty, we have Toda embroidery on fabric ornaments. This social enterprise that helps empower the tribal community in the Nilgiris by promoting their traditional craft, with its geometric patterns, and symbolic red and black colours, was in the city at the Alliance Française of Madras Christmas Fair.
₹200 onwards at the store in Ooty. Details at shalomooty.in or on Instagram
Hot Air Balloon Ornament
John Huras
This is a blast from the past, and the hours spent drawing hot air balloons and imagining the various places we could go to — if only we were grown up and had the money. Bring back some of that nostalgia with this gorgeous handcrafted painted glass and metal ornament. Made in Poland, in the John Huras family-owned factory, each piece is unique and will be a conversation starter this Christmas.
₹9,045, on neimanmarcus.com
Holiday Tree, Snowman, and Polar Bear
Tiffany & Co
Crafted in fine bone china, Tiffany has a trio of classic holiday ornaments that will make your tree one of the best dressed this year. The colourful tree features striking gold details; the snowman ornament comes with whimsical touches, including a carrot nose, Tiffany Blue scarf and sleek top hat; and the polar bear has a striped red-and-blue scarf and a hand-painted gold hanging loop.
On international.tiffany.com
Paper Mâché Stamp Ornaments
Ekam
Pretty in blue, red and yellow, these wood and paper mâché stamps are fun additions. They can go on the tree, amid the popcorn garlands, or can go under it — as toppers for your wrapped presents. Hand painted by artisans in Jodhpur, the set of four are collectibles, too.
₹950, on houseofekam.com
Hand-Blown Glass Ornaments
CollectKlove
This charming set of four ornaments icons captures the spirit of Christmas. There’s Santa’s jolly hat, a playful moose, a cheerful snowman, and a red-nosed reindeer. Each is delicately crafted from premium glass, and can become a timeless keepsake. Need we say more?
₹7,500, on collectklove.com
‘Joy’ Hand Block Printed Ornament
Okhai
We’ve been missing stars in this round-up. This hand blocked, mirror work ornament with tassels on its five corners more than makes up for it. Stuffed with cotton and hand embroidered on both sides, it is washable and eminently reusable.
₹300, on okhai.org
La Medusa Holiday Ornament
Versace
It’s not the most typical motif you’d think of for the Christmas tree. Unless you are Versace and the fearsome woman from Greek mythology, with snakes for hair, is your logo. For the Italian luxury brand, she stands for beauty, strength and power. And all of us could definitely benefit from a dash of that. Crafted in delicate metallic glass, Medusa will add a touch of the unusual this season, and we promise this version will not turn men into stone.
₹26,800, on versace.com
Blitzen
Murano Glass
Bring a touch of Italian craftsmanship home with these blown glass ornaments. Mouthblown in Venice, the set of three are gorgeously patterned with ribbons of deep cobalt blue, fiery red and lustrous bronze-gold. And don’t let the price tag deter you; these can be heirloom pieces passed down through the family. A certificate of authenticity is provided, too.
€290 (approx ₹25,745), on muranoglassitaly.com
Published – December 14, 2024 10:46 am IST