Every family has that one ornament that comes out of the box first, the one with a story behind it. More and more people are choosing handmade wooden ornaments to start — or continue — that tradition. Here's why wood belongs on your Christmas tree, and how to style it.
Wood is made to last
Glass ornaments are beautiful, but one slip and they're gone. Wooden ornaments are sturdy enough for little hands and curious pets, and they handle being packed and unpacked year after year. A well-made wooden ornament can become a family heirloom.
Every handmade piece is unique
Mass-produced ornaments all look the same. A handmade wooden ornament is shaped and painted by hand, so the grain of the wood and the brush strokes are never exactly alike. At Woody Claus, we work with woods such as beech, birch and pine from the forests of Maine, and each species brings its own color and texture.
A warmer, more natural look
Wood brings a soft, natural warmth that works with almost any style: rustic, farmhouse, Scandinavian or traditional. Wooden ornaments pair beautifully with greenery, pinecones, dried orange slices, plaid ribbons and warm white lights.
How to style a tree with wooden ornaments
- Start with the lights. Warm white lights bring out the tones of the wood better than cool white.
- Spread your focal pieces. Hang your favorite pieces, like a wooden Santa head ornament, at eye level and spread them evenly around the tree.
- Mix textures. Combine wood with a few natural elements — pinecones, berries, a linen or burlap ribbon — for a cozy rustic look.
- Don't forget the rest of the house. Wooden ornaments also look lovely on a wreath, along a staircase garland or tied onto a gift box.
- Add a scene under the tree. A little wooden Santa and a small wooden Christmas tree at the foot of the tree complete the picture.
Indoors and outdoors
Our pieces are painted to be enjoyed indoors or outdoors, so you can also bring a touch of handcrafted charm to a porch, a door wreath or a window box.
The perfect small gift
A handmade wooden ornament is an easy, thoughtful gift: a stocking stuffer, a teacher gift, a hostess gift or a little extra tied to a present. For a bigger gift, the Christmas set gathers several of our handcrafted pieces in one box.
Discover our handmade wooden Christmas decorations, carved and hand-painted in our family workshop in Maine. Delivery is free on orders over $20.