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Sterling Silver Charm |
Christmas Story/Legend/Folklore/Tradition |
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Acorn Charms |
The Acorn has long been
considered a symbol of good luck in Germany where oak trees are
considered sacred. The rebirth of life in the coming of the Christ
child is also represented in the acorn. Bearing a tiny seed that will
produce a mighty oak, the acorn reminds us that great results can be
born of humble beginnings. |
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Angel Charms |
The Angel symbolizes
God's care for His people through the presence of His angels. The
presence of angels is mentioned in the Old and New Testaments. It
is written in Psalm 91:11, "For He shall give His angels charge over
thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." (KJV) |
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Apple Charms |
The Apple played an
important role in traditional European Christmas Eve celebrations.
Following dinner, the head of the family would slice an apple crosswise.
If there was the image of a perfect star inside and the seeds were
plump, it was believed that a peaceful year of good fortune and health
awaited the family. Each member of the family then ate a piece of
the apple. |
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Bee Charms |
The
Bee is a symbol of industry, resourcefulness and prosperity. These tiny
creatures show us there is success and satisfaction in working together
harmoniously while still enjoying the sweetness of life. British farmers
believed the bees hummed in honor of the Christ child on the first
Christmas. |
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Bird's Nest Charms |
A
Bird's Nest is a symbol of the home. It reminds us that we strive to
make our home a place where family members grow and prosper. Considered
a good luck symbol, the bird's nest represents all the love, warmth,
enthusiasm and commitment required in creating the happiest of homes. |
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Butterfly Charms |
Symbolic of resurrection and eternal life, the Butterfly emerging from
its cocoon represents the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the tomb.
Just as the butterfly comes forth with a new body, those who trust in
Jesus Christ come forth with new life. The butterfly also represents
flight, freedom and creative thinking. A symbol of spring, the
butterfly truly reflects the beauty of nature. |
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Candle Charm |
Before electric Christmas lights were invented, Candles adorned the
Christmas tree - sparkling like starlight against the dark green
boughs. The candle reminds us that Christ is the light of the world.
Many European families still decorate their Christmas tree with candles
which are burned on Christmas eve. |
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Candy Cane
Charms |
The
Candy Cane begins with a stick of white candy. The white symbolizes the
purity of the Christmas season. The red stripes are for the blood shed
by Jesus Christ on the cross so that we may have eternal life. The
candy cane is formed into a "J" to represent the precious name of
Jesus. The shape can also represent the staff of Jesus, The Good
Shepherd. The candy cane's hard consistency represents Jesus, The Solid
Rock - foundation of the church, and the firmness of the promises of
God. |
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Cardinal Charms |
Christened the Christmas bird for its spectacular red color, the
Cardinal has become a symbol of the beauty and warmth of the holiday
season. A glimpse of this brilliant bird brings cheer, hope and
inspiration on a gray, wintry day. As nature’s reminder for us to focus
on our faith, the cardinal’s scarlet plumage represents the blood of
Jesus Christ shed for the redemption of mankind. |
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Cat Charms |
An old legend tells
of how a Cat came with other wild animals to pay homage to the baby
Jesus. Overcome by the glory of the Lord, a trembling sound came
from the cat’s throat. One by one the other creatures fled back to
the wild, but the cat could not bring itself to leave. Since
then...the cat has been a household companion, never forgetting its wild
nature, but content in the comforts of a warm house. |
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Celtic Cross Charms |
Most
prevalent in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Celtic Cross is a symbol
of both faith and ethnic heritage. The circle symbolizes eternity and
the endlessness of God's love for man. Legend says that while preaching
to the lost, St. Patrick was shown a sacred stone marked with a circle
that was symbolic of a moon goddess. He made the mark of a Latin cross
through the circle and blessed the stone, making the first Celtic Cross. |
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Chili Pepper Charms |
The Chili Pepper is
a southwestern American tradition symbolizing warmth and friendship.
Clusters of vibrantly colored chili peppers (called chili ristras) add a
zesty flair to home décor during the holidays. When hung near the
door, chili peppers ensure a bountiful harvest and when placed in the
kitchen, they bring good luck in cooking. |
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Chimney Sweep Charm |
The hearth is
considered the center, or the heart, of the home. Since a chimney
sweep exclusively deals with the heart of the home, it is good luck for
anyone to be touched by him - especially if he leaves you with a black
smidge of soot. |
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Christian Fish Charms |
The letters of the
Greek word for fish, Ichthus (     ),
are the first letters of the Greek phrase for “Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
Savior.” Accordingly, people use a fish symbol to distinguish
themselves as Christians. Just as fish are born in water,
Christians publicly show their choice to follow Jesus by baptism with
water. Jesus wishes all of us to be “fishers of men.” |
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Christmas Bell
Charms
More Bell/Bells Charms |
According to early
legend, Bells rang throughout the world announcing the birth of Christ.
The ringing of bells during the joyous holiday season still adds a
delightful accompaniment to favorite carols and is a significant part of
the Christmas celebration. High in their towers, suspended between
heaven and earth, church bells have called the faithful to worship for
centuries. |
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Christmas
Gift/Present Charms |
The
tradition of gift-giving seems to have started with the gifts of gold,
frankincense and myrrh the three wise men (the Magi) brought to Baby
Jesus recorded in the Bible. |
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Christmas
Stocking Charms |
A
father was unable to provide his three daughters with a dowry.
Hearing of their misfortune and wishing to help, St. Nicholas dropped
three bags of gold coins down the chimney. The coins fell into each of
the daughters’ stockings, which were hanging by the fire to dry,
providing a sufficient dowry. Since then, stockings hung by the
fireplace are a traditional part of Christmas gift giving. |
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Christmas Tree
Charms |
Because it stays green all through the year, the evergreen tree is
symbolic of the eternal life offered to Christians through faith in
Jesus Christ. The treetop points heavenward. A star signifies the
special star which guided the wise men to Bethlehem. Lights represent
Christ, the “Light of the World.” Gifts beneath the tree are
representative of God’s gift of His only begotten Son, who brings Hope,
Love, Joy and Peace. |
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Christmas Wreath
Charms
Wreath Charms |
The Christmas Wreath
has decorated many front doors with fresh greenery. Wreaths are
often made of evergreens. Because they are green and bear fruit in
the winter when other plants appear lifeless and bare, evergreens
signify God’s immortality and everlasting life. The wreath’s
circular shape reminds us of the circles of life, family and love. |
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Cow Charms |
Regarded in some cultures as a symbol of status and bartered as
currency, Cows have been invaluable to humans over the years. Its
production of milk also makes the cow a symbol of gentle nourishment,
motherhood, and prosperity. Cows have come to represent our connection
to the land and are a sign of the bounty with which we are provided. |
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Cross Charms |
To Christians, the
Cross symbolizes faith and salvation. Christians were granted the
gift of eternal life in Heaven when Jesus Christ was crucified on the
Cross for the sins of mankind. While Christ suffered pain and
death on the Cross, this divine and humbling symbol helps us to be
mindful of our beliefs and duties as Christians. Faith in the
Cross of Christ helps us cope with the burden of the crosses we bear. |
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Dolphin Charms |
Because of their intelligence and playful ways, Dolphins are one of
earth's most fascinating creatures. Romans, Greek and Celtic
stories feature their amazing ability to communicate with each other and
tell miraculous tales of dolphins rescuing drowning humans. Because of
this friendliness to man, dolphins represent the peace, harmony and
tranquility that can be achieved in life. |
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Donkey Charms |
Legend says the
Donkey that carried Jesus Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
followed Him to Calvary. Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the
cross, the donkey turned away but could not leave. It is said that
the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey.
A cross marking is found on many donkeys today and remains a testimony
of the love and devotion of one humble little donkey toward his Creator. |
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Dove Charms |
A universal symbol
of peace and love, the dove has long held significance for man.
Noah sent forth from the ark a dove that returned with an olive branch,
indicating the end of the flood and the beginning of God’s new covenant
with man. The dove also symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The dove
also signifies marriage and lifelong love. The pristine whiteness
of the dove represents purity, hope for peace and the forgiveness we
obtain from God. |
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Drummer Boy Charms |
Come, they told him,
to see the newborn King. The Little Drummer Boy had no gift to
bring, so he played his drum for the holy child. The Christ child
smiled at the simple gift, reminding us that the best gifts come from
the heart. |
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Elephant Charms |
The
familiar phrase, “an elephant never forgets,” refers to the animal’s
alleged intelligence, memory and longevity. The peaceful elephant is
also a symbol of gentle and reposing strength. The social nature of
elephants allows us to view their amazing sensitivity to their group and
family members, helping each other when hurt and protecting the
newborn. Elephants even mourn the loss of their loved ones. |
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Heart Charms |
The Heart has been a
symbol of love for many centuries. Throughout pre-Christian and early
Christian eras, the Heart was believed to be the center of emotion.
During the Baroque ear, the Heart was recognized as a sign of sincerity
and devotion. |
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Holly Charms |
Legend has it that
the bright red and green of Holly make it a natural symbol of rebirth.
There are several legends regarding holly. According to one of
these legends, holly branches were woven into Christ's crown of thorns -
the once white berries were stained red by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Holly has also come to stand for peace and joy. |
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Lighthouse Charms |
The Lighthouse is a
source of inspiration. It is a reminder of the light keeper's
legacy of courage and self-sacrifice for the welfare of others.
The lighthouse also serves as a symbol of Jesus Christ, the light of the
world. |
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Mistletoe
Charms |
Mistletoe was for
many centuries a symbol of healing and divine love. In
Scandinavia, mistletoe was considered a plant of peace. When hung
in a doorway or from the ceiling it became a sign of goodwill and
harmony. The current custom of kissing beneath the mistletoe is
based on Scandinavian mythology. |
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Mushroom Charms |
Mushrooms are considered to be a good luck symbol. Associated with
nature and the beauty of the forest, finding a mushroom is considered to
be very lucky and to mean good fortune is at hand. Mushroom ornaments
are displayed on Christmas trees in Germany in honor of a reverence for
nature and hope for good luck in the New Year. |
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Nativity Charms |
The true meaning of
Christmas!
"Behold, a virgin shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name
Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:23 |
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Owl Charms |
Throughout history, wise Owls have been credited with providing
forewarning and good counsel. The owl’s thoughtful and solemn
appearance has generated their association with wisdom and virtue.
Comparisons have been made between the owl’s visual ability to pierce
the darkness and the light of Jesus Christ dissolving the darkness of
the world. |
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Peanut Charms |
The
Peanut is a symbol of the mystery and anticipation of the Christmas
season. Just as a peanut's shell is opened to discover a hidden nut
inside, the Christmas season unfolds with its many wonderful surprises.
In years past, family members would gather and make handmade decorations
for the tree - peanuts wrapped in gold and silver foil were used as
Christmas tree ornaments. |
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Pickle Charms |
Legend has it the
Pickle brings good luck and was the last ornament placed on the
Christmas tree. On Christmas morning, the first child to find the
gherkin was rewarded with an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas.
This tradition encouraged the children to appreciate all the ornaments
on the tree, rather than hurrying to see what St. Nick had left for
them. |
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Pig Charms |
According to German
tradition, partaking of a roast pork dinner on Christmas Eve will
prevent evil and promote prosperity in the new year. Germans have
a saying, “wir haben Schwein” which means “we have good luck”.
Pigs are considered to be symbols of good fortune, thrift, and savings.
Children are traditionally given piggy banks to encourage them to save. |
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Pineapple Charms |
The
Pineapple is a traditional American symbol of hospitality. During
Colonial times, sea captains arriving home brought back the tropical
fruit from exotic locations - as a sign of their safe return and to
welcome guests, they placed a pineapple on their gate or door. In time,
people began to carve pineapple designs into their doorways and
gateposts. Today, pineapples are still given as a symbol of welcome or
friendship. |
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Pinecone Charms |
Pinecones symbolize eternity. Because of their abundance in the forest,
they were often used as natural Christmas decorations. |
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Poinsettia
Charms |
Mexican legend tells of a boy who had no gift to put by the figure of
baby Jesus in Church on Christmas Eve. On his way to church, he
heard an angel tell him to pluck some dried weeds for his gift. As he
laid them beside the other gifts, the weeds turned into beautiful
flowers. Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico,
brought the plant to the United States where it was named “poinsettia”. |
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Rainbow Charms |
Resembling a giant gate or bridge, the rainbow has been called by some
the "Gateway to Heaven." The Old Testament tells how God placed a
rainbow in the sky following the great flood as a promise that He would
never destroy the earth by flood again...therefore, the rainbow has
become a symbol of reconciliation between God and man. |
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Robin Charms |
Legend says the
night Christ was born, a little brown bird shared the stable with the
Holy Family. During the night Joseph built a fire to keep the
family warm, but as they slept the fire burned out. From its nest,
the bird flew down and fanned the embers with its wings. The bird
was very close to the fire and the heat turned the bird’s feathers red.
The breast of the Robin has been red ever since to remind us of its love
and compassion for baby Jesus. |
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Rooster Charms |
Legend states the
only time the rooster crowed at midnight was the night Jesus was born.
In Spanish and Latin American countries “Misa del Gallo,” the Mass of
the Rooster, is celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve. The
crowning of the rooster at the dawn of each morning symbolizes the daily
triumph of light over darkness and the victory of good over evil. |
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Rose Charms |
Legend has it that
Rose ornaments on a Christmas tree are symbolic of beauty and are
believed to be an expression of affection and love. Legend tells
us that a lowly shepherdess knelt at the manger, weeping because she had
no gift to offer the newborn King. As her tears fell to earth, a
rosebush sprang into bloom. She picked a bouquet of roses and
offered them to baby Jesus as her gift of love. |
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Saint Nicolas/Santa Claus Charms |
The
concept of the American Santa Claus originated with St. Nicholas, who
was born in Asia Minor in 280 A.D. He was known as a kind, benevolent
man; indeed made a saint because of his generosity. In honor of St.
Nicholas, December 6 became the traditional day in Europe for the
exchange of Christmas gifts and the beginning of the holiday season.
Dutch immigrants to the United States brought with them their version of
the gift-giving St. Nicholas, known as Sinter Klass. Americans,
unaccustomed to the Dutch pronunciation, turned this into “Santa Claus”,
who is beloved as a symbol of Christmas by children of all ages. |
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Sand Dollar Charms |
The markings on the
shell of the Sand Dollar symbolize the Birth, Crucifixion and
Resurrection of Christ. On the top side of the shell, an outline
of the Easter Lily appears. At the center of the lily is a five
pointed star representing the Star of Bethlehem. The five narrow
openings symbolize the four nail holes and the spear wound made in the
body of Jesus Christ during the Crucifixion. Turn a sand dollar
over - you can see the outline of the Christmas Poinsettia and also a
bell. When broken, inside the shell are five “doves of peace” -
some say they are the angels that sang to shepherds on the first
Christmas morning. |
| Santa's Reindeer
Charms Click Here For
Deer Charms |
Each Christmas
season we hear the stories of the eight tiny flying reindeer that pull
Santa's sleigh all over the world in one night - the source of this
legend is probably from Clement Clarke Moore's early 19th century poem
"'Twas the Night Before Christmas".
Reindeer are sturdy, short-legged animals. They have a brownish
coat that is dark in the summer and light in winter; the long hairs
under the neck, the fur just above the hoofs, and the region about the
tail are almost white. They have large spreading hoofs that enable
them to travel on snow-covered areas. They have been trained to
wear harnesses because of their strength, speed, and endurance in
pulling sleds over snow.
Perhaps most significantly, "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" created in
1939 by Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago, set to music and
recorded in 1949 by Gene Autry. Rudolph then became an annual
television star and a familiar Christmas image. |
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Seashell Charms |
The seashell (or
carocol) played an important part in early Mexico's religious symbolism.
The seashell symbolized birth and life, thus coming to symbolize
Christian rebirth. |
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Snowman Charms
Snowflake Charms |
For
centuries, children have gleefully awaited the winter’s first snowfall.
Rolling large balls of that fluffy gift from heaven, they delight in
making their own special companion. Completed with a carrot for a nose,
coal for the eyes and mouth, and sticks for arms, the snowman truly does
come to life for the children who create their frosty friend. |
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Spider Charms |
Legend has it that a
poor woman was unable to provide traditional decorations for the
Christmas holiday. A Spider, who had narrowly escaped the dust
mop, made his home in her tree and began to spin beautiful webs.
On Christmas morning, the first light of sun struck the cobwebs, turning
them to silver. When the woman awoke, she found the tree covered
with the silver treasure - the spider had brought good fortune! |
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Star Charms |
The Star symbolizes
the great light that led the wise men to the Christ child so many years
ago. Throughout much of the world, the Christian holiday begins
with the appearance of the first star on Christmas Eve. The star
also symbolizes hope for peace and good fortune. |
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Sunflower Charms |
At
one time, the Sunflower was considered to be a symbol of adoration,
possibly because it follows the path of the sun as it travels across the
sky. The yellow petals of the sunflower imitate the sun's rays and the
heart-shaped leaves on the strong stalk help to absorb the sun's light.
The sunflower is the perfect example for us to follow the Son of Man and
to grow in His love and presence. |
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Unicorn Charms |
The
mythical Unicorn has long been a source of enchantment. Solitary, swift
and graceful - the unicorn had a single spiraling horn growing from its
forehead. According to legend, the unicorn disregarded Noah's call to
board the ark - preferring to frolic in the rains of the flood. Ever
since, unicorns have only existed in our imagination. |
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Yule Log Charms |
An
ancient tradition originating in Europe, a Yule log warmed the house
during the cold Christmas night. It was ceremoniously brought to the
fireplace and lit with the remnants of the log from the previous year to
erase trouble from the past and bring good fortune and protection from
fire. Today, the Yule log takes the form of a traditional French cake
shaped like a log - a perfect finish to a Christmas feast. |
Sterling
Silver
Christmas
Charms
