GERMAN

These traditional as well as unique glass ornaments were mostly made by Lauscha Glass in the German city of the same name. Founded in 1597, Lauscha Germany is the original home of glass Christmas ornaments. Did you know that the first holiday trees were adorned with apples, candy canes, and pastries in the shapes of stars, hearts, and flowers? The very first glass ornaments were created during hard times by a poor glass maker who could not afford to decorate his family’s tree with the traditional apples and nuts, so he resorted to what he had in abundance… glass!

Historically, glass baubles were first made in Lauscha by descendants of Hans Greiner (1550-1609), founder of Lauscha and its first glassworks (Glashütte). Other glassblowers in Lauscha recognized the growing popularity of Christmas baubles and began producing them in a wide range of designs. Soon, the whole of Germany began buying Christmas glassware from Lauscha. Christmas ornaments gained global interest in the 1840’s after a picture of Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree was shown in a London newspaper decorated with glass ornaments from Prince Albert’s native Germany.

In the 1880’s, American merchant F.W. Woolworth discovered Lauscha’s glassware and made a fortune importing the glass ornaments to the United States. And so began a worldwide tradition.

I am certain there will be ornaments in the collection that you will love. They will stand the test of time and be a wonderful part of your own family traditions.