The best unique Christmas ornament

The Christmas ornament market is vast. As a result, ornament designs have branched out to become quite interesting and memorable. You have options: stick with ornaments in classic styles or experiment with unique Christmas ornaments. The designs on these ornaments are markedly different from their traditional counterparts and are typically creative. 

If you’re looking for a special ornament this year, the Christopher Radko Joyful Wreath Little Gem Ornament may be right for you. Hand-painted glass balls in a confluence of bejeweled colors compose a uniquely styled wreath. Gold glitter accents, gold beads and a red bow round out the lively look. 

What to know before you buy a unique Christmas ornament

What makes an ornament unique 

Decor that’s considered unique is often unconventional. It has a design that’s different from most pieces. An ornament might achieve this objective with a design that’s a drastic departure from commonly used Christmas designs — or it just puts a slight twist on them. Perhaps the most noticeable sign of a unique Christmas ornament is one that has an aesthetic most people haven’t seen elsewhere. These ornaments stand out and they’re memorable. 

Positives of a unique ornament 

Unique Christmas ornaments are conversation starters. They provide a fun, lighthearted topic of discussion that’s usually family-friendly. If you’re someone who appreciates individuality in decor, these ornaments are also a great way to express yours. In addition, some unique Christmas ornaments are designed as keepsakes, and as such, the quality of the materials used and craftsmanship applied are better. 

Unique ornament stories

Put simply, the story an ornament tells is the scenario it depicts. For example, one story might be Santa Claus in his sleigh, on his way to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve. Stories can involve food and/or drinks, hobbies, interests, humor, occasions, gatherings and of course, Christmas traditions, Christmas characters and Christmas symbols. 

Set the tone with a tree topper

Together, all of the unique Christmas ornaments on your tree tell an overarching story. And, while it might not be an ornament, the tree topper sets the design tone for all of the other decor. Its prominent placement on the tree is the reason behind this; it makes the tree topper one of the most visible decorations. With this fact in mind, you should choose a Christmas tree topper carefully. Select one that complements your unique Christmas ornaments. 

Unique Christmas ornament features

Design details

The design details on a Christmas ornament play a critical role in forming its aesthetic. Material is the other main factor. For this reason, you should think carefully about the design details you want your unique Christmas ornaments to have. Texturing, embellishments, patterns, fabric, fur, feathers, leather and velvet are all examples of design details that might be used on an ornament. 

Size

The dimensions of a Christmas ornament are important for several reasons. From a functional standpoint, they determine how the piece will hang on your tree. An ornament that’s too large for the space between branches won’t hang properly. It might even sit on the branches below, defeating the purpose of having an ornament in the first place. And from an aesthetic standpoint, the size of the ornament must align with that of the tree to create a balanced look. To clarify, you should avoid hanging small ornaments on a large tree and large ornaments on a small tree. 

Intricate vs. simple 

Unique Christmas ornaments can be intricate or simple in appearance. In general, the fewer details and colors on an ornament, the simpler the aesthetic. And the more an ornament has going on in the design department, the more elaborate its style. 

Unique Christmas ornament cost 

Unique Christmas ornaments suit virtually any budget — they typically start around $8 and top out around $150. 

Unique Christmas ornament FAQ

How many ornaments should you hang on your Christmas tree?

A. The height of your tree and size of the ornaments dictate the number of ornaments that’ll look good on it. Trees with a height less than 9 feet look best with 10-15 ornaments of a standard size per foot. Trees that reach or exceed nine feet can handle more — specifically, 12-20 standard size ornaments per foot. 

What kind of decor pieces complement unique Christmas ornaments? 

A. Look for other decor pieces that have a unique aesthetic just like the ornaments. They don’t have to match exactly, and in fact, they shouldn’t. Rather, all of your decor pieces should complement each other. They should make up an integrative whole decor scheme that’s cohesive. You should resist the urge to create a different decor scheme in each room, as doing so can create a choppy effect. Instead, pull it all together with an overarching style. 

Which unique Christmas ornament should I get?

Best of the best unique Christmas ornament

Christopher Radko Joyful Wreath Little Gem Ornament: available at Macy’s

Our take: Consisting of hand-painted ornament balls encircled by gold beads, this colorful wreath ornament is cheerful and festive. 

What we like: Glass ornament balls meticulously painted by hand form this wreath ornament. The assortment of colors on the balls is vibrant and the intertwined gold beads create a striking contrast against them. A red bow tops the wreath and gold glitter accents sprinkled over the wreath add sparkle. 

What we dislike: At least one buyer felt the ornament was too small for the price charged. 

Best bang for your buck unique Christmas ornament

Baking Buddies Penguins 2021 Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament: available at Kohl’s

Our take: The heartwarming tableau on this ornament depicts a trio of adorable penguins creating a gingerbread house. 

What we like: This ornament features three penguins, one wearing a jaunty chef’s hat, building a delicious gingerbread house. Candy canes and embellished gumdrops frame the door, while a piece of peppermint candy and two yellow hearts sit above it. These thoughtful details make this ornament a true keepsake. 

What we dislike: The specific theme of the ornament might not appeal to people who aren’t fans of penguins. 

Honorable mention unique Christmas ornament 

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas Musical 2021 Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornament: available at Kohl’s

Our take: Playing a fun Christmas carol and featuring a happy hippo, this ornament has a whimsical and lighthearted style. 

What we like: A hippo wrapped in a string of lights wears a star tree topper hat and balances on top of a gift-wrapped package, and the popular holiday tune, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” sets the tone for the story of this ornament. Simply press a button to play the song. 

What we dislike: The ornament requires batteries to play the song, so depending on how often you play it, you might need to change them regularly.

Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

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