So many of the Christmas traditions we observe in this country were brought to this country by European immigrants – the idea of the Christmas tree itself even, and originally they were decorated with candles.

Of course, it’s a whole lot safer to decorate them with electric lights these days. But the ornaments we put on trees can be traced back to Germany, when the world famous Muller family began offering their hand-blown glass ornaments for sale in 1596.

And descendants of the original Muller family are still offering those glass ornaments more than 400 years later under the company name Inge-Glas that’s famous around the world.

And every one of the ornaments has a special meaning.

  • A house ornament symbolizes family shelter and protection.
  • A bird ornament reflects happiness and joy.
  • A heart ornament means there’s true love in the home.
  • An angel ornament asks for God’s guidance in the home.
  • A rabbit on the tree symbolizes peace with nature.
  • A fruit basket is for generosity and plenty to eat.
  • An acorn ornament represents the gift of life from the birth of the Christ child and symbolizes good luck because it comes from the sacred oak tree.
  • A teapot ornament symbolizes hospitality.
  • Frogs are traditionally symbols of good luck because frogs can’t move backwards or from side to side. They’re always moving forward suggesting reaching goals and accomplishments.

In German tradition, the pickle ornament was always the last ornament to be placed on the tree, hidden somewhere in the branches. On Christmas morning the first child to find the pickle would get a special Christmas present and could open their gifts first.

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