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Christmas Tree Ornaments from Around the World and Around the Corner

This holiday season the Vermont Folklife Center Heritage Shop features a large selection of Christmas tree ornaments crafted by artists from all across the world—including Vermont!

The Heritage Shop currently has a large selection of ornaments made from traditional and recycled materials by artists from Chile, Guatemala, India, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Vietnam and our own exotic locales such as Bristol, Cabot, Florence and Weybridge!

Since each ornament is a unique piece of art, styles, quantities and cost vary. Please call Sarah (802-388-4964 10:00am-4:00pm, Tuesday-Saturday) for price and availablity—or better yet, stop by and pay us a visit! Our 7th Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit and Competition opens on December 2, 2005.

All our ornaments come from importers and suppliers dedicated to Fair Trade practices. Listed prices do not include shipping and handling.

Russian Birch Bark Ornaments

The birch tree (or beriozka) is one of the most familiar sights of the Russian countryside and figures strongly in the folk tales and folk songs of Russia. Reference to the birch tree in song or story imparts a romantic or sentimental significance to the Russian listener.

(price range from 2.00 to 9.00)

Felt Ornaments from Kyrgyzstan

Dramatic mountains define most of Kyrgyzstan. When independence came in 1991 it brought drastic change and economic hardship to the Kyrgyz people, many of whom still lead a nomadic life, herding sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals. Today, there is a resurgence in traditional crafts, including the age-old process of felting.

(price range from 10.00 to 15.00)

Recycled Ornaments from Vietnam, Peru, Chile and Kenya

In these diverse societies, folk artists use whatever they can scavenge to express their creativity. Everyday discards such as candy wrappers, buttons, tin cans, bottle caps, bits of fabrics or plastic provide raw materials needed to create marvels of recycling ingenuity. Our selection features airplanes, helicopters, insects and animals.

(price range from 1.50 to 9.00)

Gourd Ornaments from Peru

For thousands of years gourds, or mates, have been decorated and used as utensils, carrying vessels, and containers. The gourd ornaments are handcarved by artisans in the tiny Peruvian villages of Cochas Grandes and Cochas Chicas, famous for their work since ancient times.

(price range from 5.50 to 12.00)

Cloth Animal Ornaments from Guatemala

In a remote village overlooking Lake Atitlan, ten Mayan women – the Santa Clara Crochet Group - work together to crochet and sew fine, high quality products. This work provides a steady means to support their families and also benefits local education and medicinal herb projects.

(price range from 1.50 to 2.25)

Wooden and Cloth Ornaments from India

The hand painted and carved wooden animals are from the holy city of Benares on the Ganges river where they are made to delight children and also as offerings to Hindu temple gods. The cloth ornaments created by the women of Vaghri from the state of Gujarat are sewn from old fabrics and used garments.

(price range from 4.00 to 8.00)

Straw Ornaments from Poland

In the traditional world of rural Poland, Christmas was a time to decorate homes with ornaments made from materials found on the farm. The ornaments found in this collection come from two folk areas: Lowicz, a small town west of Warsaw known for its colorful folk art, and Lublin, a center for folk art made from straw.

(price range from 4.00 to 15.00)

Straw Ornaments from Sweden

Decorations made of straw have a long tradition in Sweden. Remembering the straw in the manager, they reflect the folk belief that it’s good luck to have straw in your house at Christmastime. In Sweden today open air Christmas markets still sell traditional straw decorations.

(price 1.00 each)

Origami Cranes

These ornaments are made using the ancient art of paper folding called Origami. They are made using the finest quality wasabi paper, an extremely durable and long-lasting material. Cranes are a symbol of happiness, long life, fidelity and peace.

(price range 7.00 to 10.00)

Apple Heads from Bristol, VT

Gussie Levarn's apple head dolls are local legends. Made from dried macintosh apples and decorated with a variety of recyled materials.

(price 9.00)

Carved Wooden Fan-Tail Birds from Cabot, VT

Edmond Menard, the "Birdman of Cabot," has been whittling fan-tail birds for decades. The Heritage Shop features a selection of Edmond's doves and hummingbirds.

(price range 16.00 to 20.00)

Hand-Knit, Minature Stockings and Mittens from Weybridge, VT

100% wool in a range of colors and styles. Made by Peg Lyons.

(price range 8.00 to 15.00)

Loom-Woven Ornaments from Florence, VT

By Betty Atwood, in a range of colors.

(price 5.00)

Also, be sure to check out our catalog of Vermont Folklife Center publications including our award-winning Childrens Book Series and audio documentaries, videotapes and books about Vermont folklife. The Vermont Folklife Center Heritage Shop also carries a selection of other books, CDs, tapes and videos for both adults and children on traditional art and music, oral history, storytelling, and folklore.

Proceeds from the sales at the Heritage Shop support various VFC programs, including the apprenticeship grants program, exhibitions, and educational programming. Thank you for your support.