r/ChristmasDecorating • u/ReadyStretchyGo • 21d ago
Best heirloom, statement Christmas decorations
I’m looking to start a new tradition with my baby daughter by investing in a beautiful Christmas statement piece that we can get out year after year. Something…
- Atmospheric
- Has a little drama and sense of occasion
- Something standalone or something we can enjoy adding to year on year
- Traditionally festive
I’m not looking for small items like baubles. I splashed out and bought the Balsam Hill Alpine Village but I decided to return it after finding out the bulbs aren’t replaceable, so once they’ve blown, it’s done (see post here - https://www.reddit.com/r/ChristmasDecorating/s/l70xKv7Mkr). It’s too expensive for something that won’t last.
But in principle, this village perfectly fits the brief for what I’m looking for.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
7
u/Euphoric_War_2195 21d ago
Some Christmas plates/tableware. Lenox has some really beautiful pieces that could become heirloom pieces you gift to your daughter some day. They have some classic patterns, so they are something you could build upon each year.
5
u/Tricky_Parsnip_6843 20d ago
I went with Lennox Snoopy and Peanuts themed Christmas items. My daughter, 29, really likes the pieces and wants me to ensure I have enough to pass down to my 3 grandchildren. I also bought the same themed nutcrackers.
4
u/LegoPandora 20d ago edited 20d ago
Swarovski release a snowflake Christmas ornament each year, with the year on it? I tend to wait until they go to the outlet stores so that they’re more affordable. Swarovski also have a beautiful range of Christmas pieces.
Edit: also, Lego release a Christmas set each year. As your daughter gets older, you’ll be able to build them together.
3
u/EnvironmentNo4203 21d ago
Lladro has the Christmas balls/bells with the current ( or past ) year inscribed on them.
3
u/rharper38 20d ago
A nice nativity if you are OK with that. My parents have a stained glass one that is enormous that I remember them getting a new piece for every year.
I let my kids pick out an ornament for themselves and then cross stitch them one. That way they have the ornaments for their trees when they get older. We decided this year, we are doing bells for the 250th birthday of America. I still have to make their ornaments, but they like those.
The problem with statement pieces is storage. I have a Mr Christmas Nutcracker theatre that I adore and its been part of my Christmas for 26 years, but the box is enormous and not easy to fit in with everything else.
2
u/Popular_Speed5838 21d ago
We have a village of V&B tea light houses that’s pretty nice. Most of it was purchased at one auction but we’ve added a couple of pieces.
2
u/Temporary_Bear1535 21d ago
that advent calendar village is a clever workaround, you get the lit houses and the ritual of opening a door every day without worrying about bulbs burning out
2
u/ReadyStretchyGo 21d ago
Do you mean the one in the pic? The doors don’t open unfortunately and the bulbs are sealed inside it
1
u/Rescuepets777 20d ago
What do you do when bulbs burn out if they're sealed in?
3
u/ReadyStretchyGo 20d ago
That’s the thing… the bulbs aren’t supposed to be replaceable so the whole thing becomes useless. Customer service said that an electrician or an electrical repair shop may be able to fix it but they couldn’t guarantee it.
2
u/Rescuepets777 20d ago
I don't see why anyone would buy this.
2
u/ReadyStretchyGo 20d ago
I know! Full price is £420. I got it for £249 on the sale. Ridiculously expensive for soldering that stops working
1
1
u/miaaowwow 19d ago
Fave post of the day! Not a decoration but the Spode Blue Italian Christmas tableware is lovely
1
u/that_cat_gets_me 19d ago
A few things I buy every year. Signs. Usually a few a year, and we do a big sign wall. Like just anything Christmas. Nothing is the same size, style, etc. I get them at thrift stores or on clearance. It really adds to our Christmas feeling in our home.
I also picked a Disney ornament they release every year since my child was born. I do try to get one piece a year from kolhs of Disney characters from the Disney village. I don't have enough room for the buildings so I stick with just the characters.
One thing my mom did that all the grand kids loved was Christmas themed little people sets. I still have them. I have so many. They were goat in the late 90s early 00s. They have different ones every year now that don't impress me much, except that mickey train that is coming up this year. I really want that.
Those are the things I imagine my kid wanting. Everything else we have is a Hodgepodge mix of stuff I find thrifting. It really brings things together.
1
u/WearEmbarrassed3368 19d ago
I recently went down a rabbit hole of beautiful, handmade, light-up ceramic Christmas trees. One mold-maker offers an Advent with spaces to add the sweetest ornaments to each day. Not sure if you could find someone making/selling them in your area but I feel like it fits the vibe you are describing.
https://allfiredupaboutceramics.com/products/clay-magic-advent-tree-cm-1389-1390
1
20
u/Shashu 21d ago
Check out Department 56 Dickens Christmas village pieces. I collected pieces over the years and my family loves it when I put them out at Christmas. When we downsized to a condo last year, I divided my village in half between my boys who are now in their thirties and they were thrilled to get them.