De Kerstballen Met een vleugje nostalgie
De Kerstballen Met een vleugje nostalgie

The Christmas baubles: with a touch of nostalgia

As a little girl, I always looked with admiration at the Christmas baubles that were carefully unwrapped from the tissue paper each year to be hung in a “real” tree. And every year, I heard the stories that belonged to some of the decorations.

Nice and tidy

When my parents later moved to assisted living, I was allowed to keep a few of those special ornaments. Among them were baubles that had even survived the Second World War. There were also tiny ones that once hung on a miniature Christmas tree aboard the Holland America Line, where my grandfather worked as a purser. All of them are broken at the top, but I don’t mind, these special baubles get a place of honour every year on a beautiful display tray.

De kerstballen

Christmas baubles, where does this tradition actually come from?

It’s remarkable to think that the Christmas bauble once held something almost magical. Long ago, people believed that shiny spheres could ward off evil. They would hang copper or glass balls in their windows to drive away witches and evil spirits. The so-called witch ball later became a decoration in the Christmas tree, as a symbol of protection, light and good fortune.   Garden centres

New traditions

When I became a mother myself, I continued the tradition. While decorating the Christmas tree, I told my daughters the story behind each bauble. Of course, new decorations were bought regularly, as there are some lovely garden centres nearby with beautiful collections, and that’s how our tree became an “ugly” tree. Every year my daughters say: “We have an ugly tree, so ugly that it’s beautiful.” No strict theme, but a collection of memories and stories. And now, with new faces at the Christmas table, I hear the same stories being told again. About that one bauble with the little crack. About childhood Christmas crafts or the clumsy papier-mâché balls. And just like that, the circle, or the bauble, is complete once again.

De kesrtballen nieuwe tradities

The most beautiful stories

The most beautiful stories sometimes hang right there in the tree. Did you know that there are many shops and garden centres in the region where you can find truly special December decorations? Combine your visit with a  winter walk or a visit to a cosy restaurant. You’ll definitely leave with your own story, and perhaps even with a new tradition.

De Kerstballen Met een vleugje nostalgie

Angélique is an all-round marketing specialist at Hart van Limburg.

As an ‘import Limburger’, she grew up in Maastricht. Weekends were spent in nature, first being taken along by her parents, later with the scouting group. Hours wandering through stream valleys, gazing at flowers and insects, just like ‘Erik’  from Godfried Bomans’ famous book.
Later cultural history became part of her interests. She now applies that passion for nature and culture every day in the Marketing department at Hart van Limburg, where she inspires residents and visitors alike to discover and appreciate this remarkable region.