Wednesday, June 18th
2025 Christmas Ornament Store Reviews
The Christmas Sleigh
- Traditional ornaments from Germany, Austria, and Italy
- Prices range from $14 to $120 per ornament
- "A+” rated by the BBB
- In business since 2001
The Christmas Sleigh was founded in 2001, as a cute brick-and-mortar shop in Middleburg, Virginia. The owners go to great lengths (literally) to bring in new ornaments every year, sourcing them from Germany, Austria, and Italy, allowing customers to have the look of a traditional European Christmas without ever leaving their own homes.
Many categories of traditional-style Christmas ornaments
There are several categories of ornaments you can choose from at The Christmas Sleigh:
- Limited Edition: hand-blown glass and hand painted by one of the owners himself (Dieter H. Rausch). There were only two to choose from at the time of our review.
- White House: dating back to 1999 and up to the present year.
- Erzgebrige Wooden: from that specific region in Germany (we saw it also spelled as Erzgebirge on the website!), these tend to be stars and trees. Almost all of them were designated as "temporarily out of stock” when we were shopping.
- Schweizer Pewter: hand-painted pewter ornaments made in the Munich area. Some color customization is available.
- Christian Steinbach: wooden ornaments crafted by a famous maker of Nutcrackers. There were only two styles in stock (golfer and Girl Scout) at the time of our visit.
- Austrian Painted Christmas Egg: also available in designs for Easter, there were about 7 to choose from but many were not in stock.
- Military: quite a few designs for all 4 branches of the Armed Forces, in metal or glass.
- Wax: hand-painted angels, babies, and Santas.
- Walnut Shell: one of the most unique options in The Christmas Sleigh's inventory, these 2” tall ornaments have carved-out figurines inside, from tiny nativity scenes to skiers and more. We were impressed by the low regular price of $24, and just $19.20 during our visit.
- Ginger Cottage Wooden: all in the style of little houses (including doghouses), from village scenes to nativities. Many were out of stock.
- Rasp Spice: a traditional favorite from Salzburg, these ornaments are made using cloves, to help your Christmas tree smell amazing. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes (including full-size door wreaths), when they're in stock.
Old World-style ornaments and nothing else
As you can see, these Christmas ornaments are very niche. Traditional German holiday? Yes! Cute annual ornament for the kiddos? Probably not. At least the pricing is attractive, with many ornaments priced at $30 or less (though there are few that are as much as $100).
Missing some important details
It's a little mind-boggling that The Christmas Sleigh still doesn't spell out its shipping or return policies online. You'll have to fill out the online form to get an RMA, but the store doesn't tell you how much time you have to do that from when you receive your ornaments, if you'll have to pay any restocking fees, nothing. It adds to the feeling that the online store is a bit of an afterthought and the retail store is the actual star of the show.
Where's the feedback?
This retailer continues to have an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, but there's not much in the way of other feedback (and we've been looking for it for several years). You'll find some Yelp reviews for the brick-and-mortar store in Virginia (which, sadly, only average out to 2.9 stars), but the most recent there was back in 2019. There are a handful of positive reviews on the store's Facebook page, but you'll have to weed out all of the 5-star spam comments first. And, as far as the ornaments go, it's hard to find any reviews on them individually too (even though there's a place for them on the website).
Great choice if you like the style
All we can offer The Christmas Sleigh is a "just average” rating. The pricing is reasonable and the store has been in business for a long time (despite the look of the website), so we don't have any concerns about reputability. It's just that the focus on German and Austrian Christmas ornaments will have many shoppers looking to the higher-ranking retailers on our list. Most people aren't going to be seeking out the types of Christmas ornaments they sell, but for those who are, this store will be a treasure trove of options.
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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.
Christmas Ornament Store FAQ
Continued from above...
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:
- Variety. Look for online stores that offer a wide range of Christmas ornaments to choose from. Whether you're into traditional designs or modern, quirky styles, a diverse selection makes it more likely that you'll find something you love.
- Quality. Pay attention to the materials and craftsmanship of the ornaments. High-quality ornaments are not only more durable but also look more elegant on your tree. You want your ornaments to look great when you take them out of the box next year.
- Personalization options. If you're interested in personalized ornaments, choose a retailer that offers customization services. This allows you to add names, dates, or special messages to create meaningful keepsakes.
- Reviews and reputation. Before making a purchase, check reviews and ratings of the online retailer (and maybe on the ornaments themselves). Positive feedback from previous customers can give you confidence in the quality of their products and service.
- Shipping and returns policy. Consider the shipping costs and delivery times, especially if you're ordering close to the holidays. Additionally, double-check that the online store has a clear return policy in case you're not satisfied with your Christmas ornaments.
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!
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