12.18.11

12.18.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Christmas countdown continues with eight glass ornaments...

Though this assortment is likely "made in China", the origins of glass ornaments can be traced back to Germany when Hans Greiner began hand blowing glass baubles in the mid 1800s. Soon, the unique and shiny figurines (generally in the shape of fruit and nuts, not spheres) were discovered by F.W. Woolworth who brought them back to the U.S. to sell in his five-and-dime stores! Who would have thought! Of course, it is usually the mass-produced balls that decorate Christmas now...and sometimes, they aren't even made of glass, but plastic. :( Naples, FL