Buzz
Christmas is widely celebrated as the most enchanting season of the year, with many people finding joy in decorating their homes with festive adornments. While some opt for ornaments that are visually appealing or hold personal significance, others view these items as collectibles or symbols of wealth and refined taste.
For those with the means and opportunity, there is a vast array of Christmas collectibles available, ranging from modern yet rare pieces to centuries-old treasures, some even linked to famous personalities. To add a touch of holiday excitement, here are ten of the most extraordinary and rare Christmas decorations from around the world.
10. Three Little Kings
Christmas is taking on a microscopic twist! In 2023, micro-sculptor Willard Wigan introduced a one-of-a-kind sculpture titled 'Three Little Kings,' depicting the biblical wise men. This intricate piece showcases the three kings adorned with 24-carat gold crowns, seated atop their camels, aiming to spread hope and joy during the festive season.
The entire scene was meticulously crafted within the eye of a needle, showcasing the artist's incredible precision. To grasp the scale, each camel is tinier than a period, and the artist relied on his own eyelash as a brush, holding his breath to ensure accuracy. The slightest tremor from his pulse could have ruined the delicate work. Made from nylon, this miniature masterpiece serves as a reminder that even the smallest things in life can spark joy.
9. The World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree
This particular tree is beyond the reach of collectors for two reasons: it’s a living tree that naturally decays after the holidays, and it represents a symbolic gesture rather than a tangible item. The tree is an enormous spruce gifted annually to Great Britain by Norway, a heartfelt thank-you for Britain’s support during World War II.
During Nazi Germany’s occupation of Norway, King Haakon VII found refuge in London, where the Norwegian government-in-exile also operated. In 1947, King Haakon initiated the tradition of sending a tree to London annually as a gesture of gratitude. Each year, the tree is displayed in Trafalgar Square after being transported by sea. Selected months in advance, the tree must be the finest specimen, often referred to as 'the queen of the forest.'
8. A Century-Old Christmas Tree
For those who prefer to avoid the mess of real trees, an artificial Christmas tree can serve as both a festive decoration and a surprising investment. This is especially true if one has the patience to wait for its value to appreciate. In a 2023 auction, a vintage artificial tree purchased in 1920 fetched over $4,000—a figure that far exceeded expectations and is a stark contrast to its original price of just a few cents.
Dubbed 'the humblest Christmas tree in the world,' this petite tree stands at only 31 inches (78.7 cm) tall and features a modest 25 branches. While its 103-year history is impressive, it isn’t the oldest surviving Christmas tree. That title belongs to the Parker family in the UK, who have preserved their tree since 1886. Measuring just one foot (30.5 cm) tall, it’s even smaller than the 1920 tree.
7. The Most Expensive Christmas Tree
While $4,000 may seem steep for a small Christmas tree, it pales in comparison to the most extravagant displays. The holiday season, often associated with generosity, becomes a showcase of opulence for luxury hotels. In 2019, Spain’s Kempinski Hotel Bahia set a record with a 19-foot (5.8-meter) tree valued at $15 million. A single diamond-encrusted ornament alone accounted for a third of its worth.
The tree was adorned with over 500 lavish decorations, meticulously curated by Debbie Wingham, who is renowned as 'the world’s most expensive designer.' Her portfolio includes extravagant projects like an $11.4 million Christmas tree in 2010. For the Kempinski tree, luxury fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel contributed handcrafted ornaments made from diamonds, sapphires, furs, gold, and even ostrich eggs.
6. Christmas Trees by Famous Artists
Christmas decorations can also serve as a statement of sophistication without breaking the bank, especially when designed by globally acclaimed artists. Many contemporary artists have reimagined the traditional Christmas tree, resulting in strikingly unique creations. London’s upscale Connaught Hotel has showcased trees designed by British art icons such as Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and sculptor Sir Antony Gormley in recent years.
Hirst’s tree featured medical paraphernalia like pills, syringes, and scissors, symbolizing the advancements that bring hope to humanity. Emin adorned her tree with a neon-lit poem spiraling around its branches, while Gormley’s design included a trunk that illuminated like a radiant beam reaching for the heavens.
Art galleries are another venue to discover unconventional Christmas trees by artists. For instance, Michael Landy’s provocative installation at the Tate Britain gallery in 1997 consisted of a dumpster filled with discarded trees, empty bottles, torn wrapping paper, and toy packaging, challenging traditional holiday aesthetics.
5. Salvador Dali’s Christmas Cards
Artists have also ventured beyond Christmas trees to create unique holiday items. In 1960, the renowned Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali designed a provocative series of Christmas cards for Hallmark. This initiative, spearheaded by the company’s founder, aimed to bring high art to those who might not otherwise experience it.
Since the 1940s, Hallmark has featured works by iconic artists like Picasso and Van Gogh on their cards. Dali submitted ten designs, but eight were deemed too avant-garde for mainstream use, showcasing surreal elements like headless angels and butterfly-shaped Christmas trees. While two designs were released, they faced public backlash and were quickly discontinued, later becoming prized collectibles.
4. One of the World’s First Christmas Cards
Though not a household name, Sir Henry Cole’s contributions remain influential. He pioneered two globally adopted innovations: postage stamps and Christmas cards. Remarkably, some of the first Christmas cards he designed in 1843 still exist today, fetching thousands of dollars at auction due to their historical significance.
Cole produced 1,000 copies of his original Christmas card, depicting a Victorian family celebrating with the message, 'A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.' These were distributed to friends, family, and sold to the public. Colored versions cost six pence (about ten cents), while black-and-white copies were five pence each. Today, only about 15 black-and-white cards remain, with their rarity driving auction prices to nearly $7,000.
3. Antique Clockwork Santa
While holiday spending can sometimes spiral out of control, the $161,000 bid for an antique Santa toy in 2010 was made during the summer, leaving no seasonal excuse. This particular Santa and sleigh stood out as one of the most important early American toys, representing the finest of only three surviving examples. Its rarity and historical significance justified the extravagant price.
Crafted around 1880 by Althof Bergmann, this clockwork toy features Santa’s sleigh pulled by two goats that gallop and ring bells when wound up. Although it wouldn’t have cost a fortune originally, American clockwork toys were pricey at the time. Well-preserved examples like this Bergmann Santa can command high prices at auction. It was sold alongside a collection of other early toys, which together fetched over $2 million.
2. First Images of the Modern Santa Claus
The cheerful, bearded gift-giver familiar to children today predates his iconic reindeer by about six decades. While Saint Nicholas had been celebrated in America since the early 1800s, the modern depiction of Santa emerged in the latter half of the 19th century. Unlike Rudolph, this version of Santa didn’t originate from a children’s book or a Coca-Cola campaign but rather from a different cultural evolution.
The modern depiction of Santa Claus was popularized by political cartoonist Thomas Nast, who used him as Union propaganda during the U.S. Civil War. In his first illustration, Santa was dressed in a stars-and-stripes outfit, distributing gifts to Union soldiers. Between 1863 and 1886, Nast created 33 Santa images for Harper’s Weekly. His 1881 drawing, 'Merry Old Santa Claus,' became iconic, showcasing a plump Santa in a red suit with white fur trim—a look that remains standard today. Original Harper’s Weekly prints still exist and can sell for over $100 each.
1. The Original Rudolph
At Dartmouth College’s Rauner Library, visitors can find a unique seasonal treasure on the fourth floor: a papier-mâché model of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. This isn’t just any replica—it belonged to Rudolph’s creator, Robert Lewis May, and is displayed alongside rare books in a glass case.
May penned the Rudolph story in the 1930s while working as a copywriter. His goal was to distribute the books to children as a promotional tool for Montgomery Ward department stores during the 1939 holiday season. The campaign was a massive success, with two million copies printed, yet demand still outstripped supply.
In 1947, Montgomery Ward transferred the copyright for Rudolph to May, who later licensed the character for merchandise, a TV special, and the famous song written by his brother-in-law. Dartmouth College, where May studied, now houses original copies of the book and various Rudolph memorabilia on display.
