Discover the origin of Christmas baubles: a Moselle tradition

The 2025 Editions of Christmas Ornaments

CIAV Meisenthal

Meisenthal

Each year, a new ornament designed by a guest artist strengthens the tradition while adding a contemporary touch.

Previous editions include: “Stella” by Jean-Simon Roch (2023), “Extra” by Nicolas Verschaeve (2022), “Piaf” by Harmonie Begon & les mésanges (2021), “Kaktus” by Mark Braun… and 2025: it’s still a surprise!

The Meisenthal boutique

Cristallerie Lehrer

Lehrer

For its 2025 Christmas collection, the crystal workshop presents L’Étoile, a new ornament that joins the series started with “Le Bonhomme en pain d’épices” (2021), “La Cloche” (2022), “Le Père Noël” (2023), and “Le Sapin” (2024).

Handcrafted in the workshops, each star is born from the expertise of master glassmakers. Molten glass, carefully blown and shaped, brings to life a luminous piece that captures and reflects light in a unique way.

Available in several colors, L’Étoile is designed to fit naturally into any Christmas tree décor. Its clean, sparkling design makes it both a collectible item and a symbol of the holiday season.

The Lehrer boutique

G.Rebmeister

F.Schulz

G.Rebmeister

T.Garcia

T.Bastille

F.Schulz

G.Rebmeister

Christmas baubles, a tradition born in Moselle

Do you know why we hang ornaments on the branches of Christmas trees?

The tradition of decorating trees to celebrate Christmas dates back to the 11th century. Back then, red apples were hung on the branches, symbolizing the Tree of Paradise.

The first decorated Christmas trees, resembling our contemporary trees, emerged in the 15th century. In addition to apples, sweets and small cakes were added, a tradition that quickly took hold and lasted until 1858 when the fruit trees in Lorraine failed to produce any fruit due to a severe drought.

P.Meyer

A glassblower from Goetzenbruck then had a brilliant idea: he began to blow red apples out of glass. Thus began the tradition of glass Christmas ornaments, created thanks to local craftsmanship.

This innovation quickly gained popularity, and glass ornaments began to replace apples on the trees, marking a significant turning point in Christmas celebrations.

These Christmas ornaments, rooted in Lorrainian craftsmanship, continued to be produced in Goetzenbruck until 1964 when the glassworks ceased production, leaving this precious tradition forgotten.

Communauté de Communes du Pays de Bitche

Fortunately, in 1992, the International Center for Glass Art (CIAV) was established in the former glassworks of Meisenthal, reviving this local tradition.

Each year, the CIAV invites an artist to design a new ornament, skillfully blending the rich Lorrainian heritage with contemporary aesthetics that appeal to collectors and lovers of unique items.

Since 2010, the Lehrer crystal factory has also continued the tradition of crystal craftsmanship, offering a collection of colorful, finely crafted crystal Christmas ornaments. Many shades are available, and each ornament is hand-blown for a truly unique result.

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