Any real bird lover will appreciate a bird Christmas ornament to add to his decorative Christmas tree ornament collection. There are many types of birds represented in ornaments to choose from these days, and bird ornaments come in a variety of styles. You can even create your own original design for a bird Christmas ornament.
The bluebird is a much loved bird that can be seen in many American yards and parks almost every day. Many of us like to feed the bluebirds that live in our back yards and we love to simply sit back and watch these colorful creatures as they hop and fly around. A perfect bird Christmas ornament collection just has to have at least one bluebird ornament.
The cardinal is a traditional icon of winter. The arrival of this magnificent red bird is a welcome aspect of the arrival of winter. Many people traditionally associate the cardinal with the Christmas holiday season. Bird Christmas ornaments that feature the cardinal are popular and very easy to find. You may have trouble deciding which one of the many you see to choose for your collection. Here is a novel Christmas decoration idea: Birds - Red Cardinal - Light Switch Covers - single toggle switch
The chickadee is another story. Although not as colorful as the others, this plain little bird is simply adorable to look at. You may have greater difficulty finding a bird Christmas ornament of the chickadee. However, you will be glad that you took the time and effort to seek out your chickadee bird ornament because they are so very charming and simple. They make a touching addition to your bird ornament collection.
One of the most loved avian creatures is the parrot. This colorful bird can be found wisecracking its way into people's hearts and homes. I know many people who would love to add a parrot bird Christmas ornament to their Christmas tree decoration collections. The bright colors on this amazing bird will add depth and interest to any Christmas decoration set.
Penguins are so closely tied to cold and snow that you really can't have a bird Christmas ornament collection without at least one penguin in the set. I know many individuals whose bird ornament collections solely consist of this wonderful polar bird. Christmas decorating items that feature the penguin can be found at most Christmas shops, and the choices of designs and styles are seemingly endless. NFL Blown Glass Penguin Christmas Tree Ornament
When I was a teacher many of my students offered small presents during the holiday season. One of my favorites is a bird Christmas ornament made just for a teacher. This ornament features a wise owl as the central theme. I still think of my students fondly when I hang my owl bird Christmas ornament on the tree.
We live in an area with many Christmas tree farms. Many city people do not realize the work that has to go into growing Christmas trees. The trees need to be planted, trimmed and harvested. Christmas tree farms often plant a variety of trees because of the different rates of growth for each species of tree. We live close to several of the tree farms so we go out and cut down our own Christmas tree each year.
When I was growing up on a farm my parents had Norway pines on one end of the property. We cut down one of these trees each Christmas and dad would try to shape it before bringing it into the house. The long needles made it quite difficult to hang ornaments. Since I have been married we have tried several varieties of Christmas trees.
Our favorite is the balsam Christmas tree. We also like the looks of a blue spruce, but it's needles are so prickly that you have to wear gloves while putting on the lights. The balsam Christmas tree has a wonderful fresh fragrance and is soft to the touch. It has short needles and the branches are sturdy, so it is easy to hang many Christmas tree ornaments on it. The balsam Christmas tree also holds its foliage very well so there is not much problem from shedding compared to many of the other short needle tree varieties. A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree
Last year when we went to cut down our tree we were told by the farmer that a new field had been opened up for cutting. This field featured the balsam Christmas tree that we were after, but also had several Frasier firs. The Frasier fir is supposed to be the most aromatic of all evergreens and does not shed its needles, and often commands a price premium. We tried one a few years ago and liked the looks of the tree and the fragrance. Frasier Fir Reed Diffuser, by Thymes However, we found the branches are very soft. These soft branches cannot hold all the heavier Christmas ornaments that we have collected through the years. This meant that many of the ornaments that had the most meaning to us had to be placed on the stronger inner branches. Because of this we decided that we would not spend the extra money for a Frasier fir again.
Most of our local Christmas tree farms offer a shaker service as well as a bagging service for the trees that are cut. The tree is placed in a stand on a mechanical shaker that helps to get rid of any dead needles and other debris that may be in the freshly cut tree. The tree is then shoved base first through a barrel that has netting on the other end. The netting surrounds the tree and is cut the length of the tree and tied at both ends. This allows for easier transportation as well as ease in getting a large tree into the house. The Christmas tree growers are always looking for ways to make getting your Christmas tree easier and more enjoyable. We are looking forward to going out to one of the Christmas tree farms to cut down our balsam Christmas tree again this year.
An African American Christmas theme is becoming part of the American culture. Many of the Christmas traditions have come from mid-winter conditions in Europe, and don't fit comfortably with celebrating Christmas in warmer climates. All those dominant Christmas images of snow and snowmen, warm clothing, heavy Christmas dinners, decorated Christmas trees and opening Christmas gifts by the fire are very northern European in origin. They owe much to German Christmas traditions that later became popular in Victorian England.
There is no reason why a homely Christmas celebration from an African American perspective can't take a different point of view.
An African American Christmas celebration need not be radically different. It's mostly a question of modifying the style and taste to make it easier for African Americans to identify with the Christmas traditions and decorations.
Fiber Optic Angel in Gold - African American (12")
African American Christmas cards, for example can use designs that reflect a distant African background, or more recent African American history and culture.
Christmas tree decorations can also reflect this background. African American Christmas tree ornaments often include charms shaped like giraffes, gazelle, lions, elephants and stylized African masks.
Other African American Christmas ornaments can celebrate African American literature, music, sport, education, farming, and all of the other areas in which African Americans have made a contribution to American culture. It's an opportunity to create designs with a distinctly African American style. Philadelphia Eagles NFL Glass African American Football Player Christmas Tree Ornament 4"
Washington Redskins 4.5" African American Football Tackler Christmas Tree Ornament
New Orleans Saints NFL Glass African American Football Player Christmas Tree Ornament 4"
Fiber Optic Woodland Santa - African American (16")
