“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la la…..” While we do love natural decorations, this year we’ve tracked down some unusual tree decorations that are a little more quirky and fun. For 2019, animals and in particular sea creatures are a strong theme – we’ve seen everything from festive dinosaurs to octopi to llamas to lobsters!
Fruit and vegetables are also a trend this year – avocados, pineapples….and who’s for a festive Christmas leek?!
Here’s what we’ve found to brighten your home this festive season.
1. Glass kangaroo, Paperchase
Glass kangaroo, £8, Paperchase
Paperchase’s festive offerings are even more bonkers than usual this year – and we love it! They’ve got so many choices that you could present each member of the family with an appropriate bauble if you wanted to – pints of beer, fortune cookies, even a Cornish pasty ornament. We’ve chosen this glass kangaroo, which measures 10.5cm high and costs £8 – after all, nothing says ‘traditional Christmas’ like a kangaroo! Available from Paperchase shops or online.
2. Set of four fun fast food baubles, Sass & Belle
Set of four fun fast food baubles, £14, Sass & Belle
Sass & Belle are another brand who aren’t letting tradition get in the way of their imagination. Ketchup bottles, dinosaurs and gin all figure in this year’s collection of unusual tree decorations. We’ve picked out this set of four glass baubles in the shape of a hot dog, burger, fries and popcorn – after all, Christmas is all about food! £14 for the set, available from Sass & Belle.
3. Personalised tiny Christmas Holly mug, Emma Bridgewater
Personalised tiny Christmas Holly mug, £13.95, Emma Bridgewater
Glass dinosaurs not your thing? How about this tiny little mug, designed to be hung on the Christmas tree? You can have it personalised (at extra cost) with the name of your choice. At just 5.3cm tall it would also be ideal for a sneaky hot toddy on Boxing Day…Prices start at £13.95, available from Emma Bridgewater.
4. Felt flamingo Christmas decoration, Oxfam
Felt flamingo Christmas decoration, £4.99, Oxfam
We absolutely love Oxfam’s 2019 Christmas collection. They’ve got unusual tree decorations made from recycled saris and other materials, by artisans and crafters worldwide, and the vast majority are handmade and Fairtrade. We love this pink felt flamingo, who’s made in India to Fairtrade standards and helps benefit the artisans directly. He costs £4.99, and you can find him in store or online at Oxfam.
5. Moon decoration, British Library
Moon decoration, £10, British Library
It’s the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, so this moon-inspired bauble couldn’t be any more appropriate for 2019. Made from glass and glitter, it costs £10 from the British Library online shop.
6. Knitted dinosaur decorations. The Natural History Museum
Knitted dinosaur decorations, £8 each, The Natural History Museum
One for the dinosaur fans in the household, these cute little knitted unusual tree decorations come in four designs: diplodocus, triceratops, T rex and woolly mammoth. They cost £8 each and are available from The Natural History Museum online shop.
7. Embellished lobster decoration, Oxfam
Embellished lobster decoration, £5.99, Oxfam
Lobsters are a 2019 Christmas trend (really!), so we had to include at least one in our list. We’ve gone for this beauty from Oxfam, partly because it does indeed manage to be a really festive crustacean and partly because we think it’s brilliant value at just £5.99 when you consider the work that’s gone into it. You can find it in store or online at Oxfam.
8. Set of four Mexican tin decorations, Raj Tent Club
Set of four Mexican tin decorations, £18, Raj Tent Club
These bright and cheerful tin decorations were hand made and hand painted by artisans in Mexico, and will add a pop of colour to your tree. They’re available in a set of four, and there are two sets to choose from. £18 for a set, available from Raj Tent Club.
9. Jewelled giraffe Christmas tree decoration, Gisela Graham
Jewelled giraffe Christmas tree decoration, £9, Gisela Graham
We’ve had the rest of the menagerie, so why not a giraffe? Add an exotic touch with this garland-covered chap – there are also elephants and tigers available in the same collection. £9, available from La Di Da Interiors.
10. Astronaut in space buggy, Royal Museums Greenwich
Astronaut in space buggy, £10, Royal Museums Greenwich
And our personal prize for ‘most bonkers Christmas decoration 2019’ goes to….this astronaut in a space buggy, bringing home his Christmas tree! Made from glass, he costs £10 from Royal Museums Greenwich.
If traditional decorations are more your style, take a peek at some Alpine themed decorations:
