Our gold German glass ornaments are 2 inches in diameter, around the bottom and 3 inches long, including the star crown. The German glass ornaments are in the shape of a red Santa hat, with a gold, glitter cuff. The German glass ornaments also have a gold, glitter pompom and gold glitter highlights. The German glass ornaments hang from the gold star crown.
Caring for your German glass inge ornaments: To care for and protect your glas inge ornaments for years to come, please be mindful of the following suggestions. Wrap your german ornaments individually in acid free tissue paper and pack your inge ornaments securely in a sturdy shallow box, making sure not to place too many layers in a single box. One layer is ideal. The box should be very sturdy and made of paper. Plastic bubble wrap and or plastic storage containers do not allow the German glass ornaments to have proper ventilation. Particularly if the made in Germany glass ornament is stored in a warm place like an attic or in a humid place like a basement. Also be sure to take care to store your items in a safe, dry place away from water, sun or fluorescent lights and other outside elements. We hope you enjoy your hand blown glass ornaments that are made in Germany.
Old World Christmas Santa Claus.
Santa Claus truly represents a veritable melting pot of cultures, beliefs and traditions. As immigrants arrived in the New World centuries ago, along with their hopes and dreams for a better future, they brought with them their beliefs and customs surrounding the holidays. The Germans brought their Belznickel and Christkindl, the Scandinavians their gift giving elves and the Dutch introduced the Sinterklaas, all representing the celebration of St. Nicholas.
The American legend of Santa Claus embodies childhood innocence and magical delight, as Santa Claus is the bearer of gifts and treats for children everywhere. With his home at the wintry North Pole, he and his merry elves created the toys that put the magic into the holidays. He was a kind and gentle figure, and starry eyed children awaited his annual visit with spirited anticipation.
The legend of Santa Claus is derived in part from the benevolent European figure St. Nicholas, and in part from American writers who wrote children’s poems in the nineteenth century. Clement Moore, who wrote “A Visit From St. Nicholas” in 1822, and Thomas Nast, the famed political cartoonist who depicted Santa Claus in the 1860’s as an elfin figure, contributed greatly to this fantasy. Their descriptions of the jolly man clad in red and white created the folk hero children around the world dream about on Christmas Eve. This American patron saint of children certainly brings joy and delight to all during the holidays.
The Legend of Saint Nikolaus.
In German speaking countries and Holland and Belgium as well, December 6th is the most distinctive children's festival of the year. St. Nikolaus Eve is a time of festive stir, it is a time of whispers and giggles, and of heavy steps on the stairs. Shops are full of many shaped biscuits, gilt gingerbreads, sugar images, toys and other little gifts.
It is not easy to uncover the historic facts about Saint Nikolaus, the fourth century Greek bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6th, 343. In Eastern Europe, Southern Italy and among the Greeks, he is revered most of all as the patron saint of seafaring men.
In many regions, the festivities originally attributed to the gift giving St. Nikolaus have been transferred to Christmas, yet in Western and Southern Germany, in Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, December 6 remains a day of joy for children.
When evening comes, St. Nikolaus, a reverend gray haired figure with flowing beard, will knock on doors and enquire about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will deliver a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in some countries.
St. Nikolaus traditions vary as widely from region to region as his guise and name. He appears as Ruhklas, Pelznickel, Klasbur, etc. He is afoot or astride a white horse, a mule, or even a goat.
St. Nikolaus also appears together with St. Peter, an angel, and the Christ child. As the splendor of the candle lit Christmas tree and emphasis on the birth of Christ, began to shift the function of the gift giving St. Nikolaus, Knecht Ruprecht became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," literally Christmas Man, Father Christmas or Santa Claus.