EUROPEAN BLOWN GLASS ORNAMENTS |
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Legends:We love to tell stories of the glass ornaments and their country of origin. Folks share memories with us about "Grandma's Glass" year after year. Here are a few of the most popular legends.
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Christmas Pickle |
Christmas Spider |
The Mushroom |
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The Christmas Pickle
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The Christmas Spider
The spider was present at the first Nativity and all the other visitors were giving presents to honor the Christ Child. She was sad that she had no gift to give. That night she spun her web on a branch in front of the stable and in the morning the dew was clinging to the strands of her humble web and the dew drops were shining like beads. Seeing the beauty of her work the Christ Child smiled. Garland is put on the Christmas Tree now to replicate this beautiful gift from nature. Christmas Spider 3 1/2" |
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The Mushroom
Mushroom 2 1/4"
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Back to history page |
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A
very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a
pickle deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree.
The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments
were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant
child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first
adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets Good Luck for
the whole year. 
Mushrooms
have long been Good Luck symbols in the German culture. Found
in the forests of Europe, mushrooms are closely associated with
nature and the beauty and mystery of the forest. Finding a mushroom
in the woods was like finding a lucky penny -- good fortune was
just around the corner. Mushroom ornaments honor the reverence
for nature and hopes for good luck in the coming year.
