RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Christmas ornaments are precious mementos, often reminding us of a person, place, or event.
The practice of decorating a tree for Christmas originated in 16th-century Germany. Once the leaves fell off, fruits and nuts were added to symbolize new life in the spring.
“I love giving an ornament at Christmas. I can give it to my friends, my daughters, anyone, even a coworker,” said Adams’ Hallmark Shop Store Manager Crystal Shrewsbury. “And every year when they put it on their tree, they’ll think of me that I gave that ornament to them.”
The joy of collecting ornaments evokes Christmas nostalgia. Edna Wriston has all kinds.
“I’ve already been here and bought Santas and a bird,” said Oak Hill resident Wriston. “I love cardinals, so I always buy a cardinal. If I were looking for an (ornament) it would probably be one nobody else would want, something unique.”
Adams’ Hallmark Shop has every imaginable ornament.
“We have funny ones, we have serious; one of our big selling ornaments this year is National Lampoon’s The Grinch, The Elf,” Shrewsbury said. “We have all of these; one for everyone.”
Cherished Christmas ornaments correlate with a special family memory.
“Some things that we’ve done together, or our favorite milestone, something that helps us remember that as we’re unpacking the ornaments and decorating our tree every year,” said Lewisburg resident Sarah Baker.
This Beckley resident is big on Hallmark’s football ornaments.
“I like the Steelers — but I buy all of them because I like the whole NFL,” Michael Blair said. “I’ve even got some old ones like Notre Dame’s Joe Montana. I buy other ornaments (sometimes Marvel and DC) but mostly football.”
The Frosty Friends 2024 ornament is a Hallmark exclusive.
“Every year, this is the 45th one,” said Shrewsbury. “It’s pretty special too.”
