There is a Ukrainian folktale about the Christmas spider. A few versions exist. One goes something like this: a poor widow and her children delight in a pine cone growing into a tree outside their woodland home. Come Christmas eve, their excitement turns to sadness — the tree must remain bare, as they lack the means to decorate it. The next morning, they discover a spider has filled the tree’s branches with cobwebs. When the sun hits, each strand sparkles and shimmers. Their tree, miraculously, is complete. Another version centers on an exchange between two mothers, a human one and a spider one. The human allows the mother spider to live safely with her spider children in their Christmas tree. Full of gratitude, the mother spider spins webs of equal grace — covering the branches in beauty. To this day, spiderweb-shaped ornaments are custom in Ukraine.
Another folktale comes from 16th century Mexico: There was once a young girl with very little. As such, she couldn’t buy a gift to present for baby Jesus at her church service. Picking weeds from the ground, she placed them on the altar, only to watch them transform into beautiful red flowers — poinsettias. The angels gave her a miracle, the legend goes. Now known as the Flor de Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve Flower, the poinsettia remains a beloved decoration at Christmastime throughout Mexico.
A culture’s holiday decorations are a window to its beliefs, history, and values. While many are grounded in these sorts of stories, others reflect a place’s materiality: blown glass ornaments in Italy, home to the mythic glass factories of Murano; the geometric straw himmelis ornaments of Finland — originally hung from the ceilings to ensure good crops for the coming year in these agriculturally-focused lands; the shell ornaments of beachy Australia, whose Christmas falls during summertime; the origami swans and cranes covering Christmas trees in Japan, meant to symbolize good luck and longevity. As moving as cultures in their full regalia are, decorations adopted in foreign lands are equally as stirring. Take pajaki — the colorful mobiles of Poland popular during the holidays, traditional chandeliers hung with flower shapes made from paper, threaded peas, and string. While the tradition is a dying art form, one woman runs a store called Folka in East London purely dedicated to its preservation.
In the spirit of all that glitters and glistens, we spoke to some of our favorite shopkeepers about their most beloved holiday decorations — from their own cultures, shops, and beyond.
John Derian
Of John Derian, an NYC institution known for its decoupage art, antiques, and whimsical aesthetic
“I love painted, blown glass ornaments and carry a wide selection in my shop. I scout for them in Germany at a holiday trade fair — Christmasworld — where I get to see all the artisans who create every piece I stock. Most come from Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany and since they are all lovingly handmade, I have to place my orders in January to receive before December holidays. I am also a fan of the German kugels. Larger and heavier than the other ornaments, they are usually mercury filled and silver finished spheres. I enjoy decorating with them beyond the holidays. I like to think they give more of a shimmery solar system effect than Christmas vibes, which is the excuse I use to keep them up all year round!
In terms of a favorite gift to give, I am a fan of faux — like the exquisitely made life-like porcelain fruits and vegetables made in England by Penkridge. As for where I personally like to celebrate, I do fully dress up my little apartment and it’s almost as magical as Jeannie’s bottle… Perfect to celebrate holiday cheer.”
Beata Heuman
Of Beata Heuman, the Swedish designer’s London studio known for its idiosyncratic fabrics, wallpapers, and home decor
