Whether you trim a tree, light a menorah, or prefer Festivus (for the rest of us), get into the holiday spirit this month with decorative trinkets to celebrate the season in style. Some of our top secular picks could even deck the halls year-round.
1 | On the ball.
These handblown glass balls – crafted by GoggleWorks Glass Shop Manager Scott Krenitsky in an array of colors, sizes, shapes and patterns – are a unique twist on the ornamental staple. Dangle them from a tree or cluster them by a window for a spin on colorful sun-catchers. Glass ornaments, $28 and up, GoggleWorks STORE, 201 Washington St., Reading, 610.374.4600. goggleworks.org/store
2 | Like an Egyptian.
Perhaps nothing is as synonymous with
the Reading Public Museum as its Egyptian wing, a place where countless children have had close encounters with real ancient mummies. Take home your own miniature sarcophagus with this handmade tin replica. Mummy ornament, $14.99, Reading Public Museum Shop, 500 Museum Rd., Reading, 610.371.5850. readingpublicmuseum.org/museum_shop
3 | All aboard.
This little gleamer pays homage to every household that had an electric train with a throaty whistle as a mainstay under the tree. For more than 100 years, Lionel has crafted thousands of miniature locomotives, box cars and cabooses for generations of railroad enthusiasts. Lionel ornament, $19.99, Ye Olde Train & Christmas Shoppe, 601 Jackson Rd., Boyertown, 610.369.0755. yeoldetrain.com
4 | Sparkling snow.
This intricate 24-karat gold-plated brass snowflake is rendered in exquisite detail and stamped for the 2014 season. A delicate edition for holiday keepsake collectors. 2014 Snowflake, $39.20, Baldwin Brass Center & Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Design, 623 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 800.358.2469. baldwinbrasscenter.com
5 | Frohe Feiertage.
The winter solstice gets unique treatment worldwide, like in Germany where craftsmen create petite Räuchermännchen, miniature smokers that use incense to puff smoke out of their mouths. This little guy is in the style of the Jolly Old Elf himself, but there are more than 200 variations in stock. Santa Räuchermännchen, $66, prices vary by style, Murdough's Christmas Barn, 945 W. Penn Avenue, Robesonia, 610.693.5369.
Whether you trim a tree, light a menorah, or prefer Festivus (for the rest of us), get into the holiday spirit this month with decorative trinkets to celebrate the season in style. Some of our top secular picks could even deck the halls year-round.
1 | On the ball.
These handblown glass balls – crafted by GoggleWorks Glass Shop Manager Scott Krenitsky in an array of colors, sizes, shapes and patterns – are a unique twist on the ornamental staple. Dangle them from a tree or cluster them by a window for a spin on colorful sun-catchers. Glass ornaments, $28 and up, GoggleWorks STORE, 201 Washington St., Reading, 610.374.4600. goggleworks.org/store
2 | Like an Egyptian.
Perhaps nothing is as synonymous with
the Reading Public Museum as its Egyptian wing, a place where countless children have had close encounters with real ancient mummies. Take home your own miniature sarcophagus with this handmade tin replica. Mummy ornament, $14.99, Reading Public Museum Shop, 500 Museum Rd., Reading, 610.371.5850. readingpublicmuseum.org/museum_shop
3 | All aboard.
This little gleamer pays homage to every household that had an electric train with a throaty whistle as a mainstay under the tree. For more than 100 years, Lionel has crafted thousands of miniature locomotives, box cars and cabooses for generations of railroad enthusiasts. Lionel ornament, $19.99, Ye Olde Train & Christmas Shoppe, 601 Jackson Rd., Boyertown, 610.369.0755. yeoldetrain.com
4 | Sparkling snow.
This intricate 24-karat gold-plated brass snowflake is rendered in exquisite detail and stamped for the 2014 season. A delicate edition for holiday keepsake collectors. 2014 Snowflake, $39.20, Baldwin Brass Center & Baldwin Kitchen & Bath Design, 623 Penn Avenue, West Reading, 800.358.2469. baldwinbrasscenter.com
5 | Frohe Feiertage.
The winter solstice gets unique treatment worldwide, like in Germany where craftsmen create petite Räuchermännchen, miniature smokers that use incense to puff smoke out of their mouths. This little guy is in the style of the Jolly Old Elf himself, but there are more than 200 variations in stock. Santa Räuchermännchen, $66, prices vary by style, Murdough's Christmas Barn, 945 W. Penn Avenue, Robesonia, 610.693.5369.
