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Wednesday, September 18th
Walmart comes in as a surprisingly good option for buying Christmas ornaments. Because so many people shop at this retailer, you can benefit from dozens (if not hundreds) of reviews on most of the ornaments that catch your eye. The 7,000+ options range from the cheap plastic kind you're likely picturing, up to high-end, sought-after Hallmark items and everything in between. Many ornaments include free shipping, and all of them come with a 90-day return window and free returns. We had to dock Walmart's score slightly for a lack of filtering options, but we're recommending it overall for having a wide selection of Christmas ornaments.
In operation since 2001 in a cute little shop in Middleburg, Virginia, The Christmas Sleigh offers Christmas ornaments and décor inspired by German and Austrian heritage. While the prices are reasonable, with hand-crafted ornaments available for under $20 (though they can go as high as $120+), the variety is limited to the European theming and style, and it can be hard to find things in stock. The website is clunky and fails to share the shipping or return policy too. We still give The Christmas Sleigh a good rating, as a nod to how much people will like shopping here if they're trying to decorate their tree in the Old World way, but most people won't find the Christmas ornaments they want here.
The world of Christmas ornaments is incredibly diverse. From traditional glass baubles to quirky, novelty ornaments, there's something for everyone. Many modern ornaments feature popular characters from movies, TV shows, and cartoons, adding a touch of pop culture to the holiday season.
The tradition of decorating trees, particularly during Christmas, dates back centuries. However, the concept of hanging ornaments on trees is believed to have originated in 16th century Germany. Back then, people decorated their trees with fruits, nuts, and other edible items. Over time, this evolved into using more decorative items like candles, paper decorations, and small trinkets.
As this tradition spread throughout Europe and eventually to other parts of the world, the ornaments themselves evolved. Handcrafted glass ornaments became popular in the 19th century, particularly in regions like Germany and Czechoslovakia. These delicate decorations were often intricately painted and adorned with glitter. In the 20th century, with the advent of mass production, Christmas ornaments became more accessible to the general public. Materials such as plastic, metal, and fabric were used to create a wide array of ornaments, though traditionalists still looked for the old-world styles in glass too.
Personalization has also become increasingly popular. People now look for ornaments that can be customized with names, dates, or special messages, making them unique keepsakes for families and loved ones. Many families have the tradition of buying a new ornament every year to reflect their interests, hobbies, or significant life events. For example, newlyweds may look for ornaments that celebrate their first Christmas together, while pet owners may seek out ornaments shaped like their furry companions.
Are you ready to deck out your Christmas tree? The world's best selection is, of course, online, but where should you shop? Here are a few things to look for that can help you get started:
To help you find the perfect Christmas ornaments to adorn your tree and create lasting memories for years to come, the elves at Top Consumer Reviews have shopped the selection at some of today's most popular retailers, ranking them from best to worst so that you know which ones are on Santa's "nice” and "naughty” lists. Happy decorating!
Select any 2 Christmas Ornament Stores to compare them head to head